Athletic Club vs Real Madrid: Mbappé Stars in Crucial 3-0 Victory at San Mamés

Real Madrid End Winless Streak with Dominant Performance

Real Madrid returned to winning ways in LaLiga with a thumping 3-0 victory at Athletic Club after a Kylian Mbappé brace. The match, played on 3rd December 2025 at the iconic San Mamés stadium in Bilbao, marked a crucial turning point for Los Blancos after a difficult spell.

Real Madrid kicked off December with a dominant 3–0 win over Athletic Club, pulling within one point of Barcelona atop the La Liga standings. The Spanish giants were in desperate need of a victory on Wednesday after dropping points in their last three league matches. This comprehensive win breathed new life into their title challenge.

Mbappé Masterclass Seals the Victory

The French superstar was the undisputed man of the match, demonstrating why he’s one of world football’s elite talents. Mbappé broke the deadlock after seven minutes at San Mames with England full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold able to claim his first assist for the Spanish club. Madrid were two up by the time Alexander-Arnold limped off due to Eduardo Camavinga’s 42nd-minute effort and Mbappé wrapped up the points with his 16th goal in LaLiga this term before the hour mark in Bilbao.

The France international bagged a brace and an assist against Athletic Club to lift Real Madrid to three points in their final match of a six-game away stretch. His clinical finishing and creative contribution proved decisive.

Tactical Significance and Title Race Implications

The victory carries enormous significance for Real Madrid’s season. Real Madrid secured all three points on their visit to San Mames last night, thanks to a 3-0 victory over Athletic Club. The result ended their three-game winless streak in La Liga and allowed them to stay within one point of league leaders Barcelona.

The match came at a critical juncture, with Madrid in need of a win after a series of draws enabled rivals Barcelona to gain pole position in La Liga. Manager Xabi Alonso’s side responded emphatically, displaying the intensity and hunger that had been missing in recent weeks.

Looking Ahead

However, the victory came with a cost. It came at a cost as the team’s only fit natural right-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold, suffered an injury, raising concerns about squad depth heading into the busy December schedule. Despite this setback, Real Madrid have sent a powerful message to their title rivals that they remain firmly in contention for the La Liga crown.