Real Madrid have rediscovered their spark. And unsurprisingly, Kylian Mbappe was at the centre of it all.
On a crisp Wednesday night at San Mames, the French star delivered a statement performance that powered Madrid to a convincing 3-0 win over Athletic Club. For a side that had gone three La Liga matches without victory, this result felt like a reset button being hit at exactly the right moment.
The triumph also injected fresh heat into the title race, lifting Madrid to second place and putting current champions Barcelona under real pressure.
Read More: Barcelona Fight Back To Stun Atlético Madrid And Extend LaLiga Lead
A Night Madrid Needed To Get Right
San Mames is one of Spain’s most intimidating stadiums. Locals say you don’t just play Athletic Club, you play against the heartbeat of Bilbao. So for Madrid to walk in under a cloud of poor results, and walk out with three goals and a clean sheet, made the win resonate even louder.
From the opening whistle, Madrid looked like a team tired of excuses. In the 7th minute, Mbappe exploded into space, using that trademark burst South African fans know all too well from his PSG days. One crisp strike from the edge of the box later, Madrid had liftoff.
The early goal seemed to free the entire squad. Passes snapped, transitions rolled, and Madrid suddenly played with the confidence of a team that expected to dominate.
Camavinga Adds Calm With A Clever Header
Just before halftime, Madrid put the game firmly in their control. Trent Alexander Arnold, embracing his new Spanish chapter, whipped in a pinpoint cross. Mbappe rose first, directing a smart header across goal. Eduardo Camavinga arrived with perfect timing, nodding home Madrid’s second.
It was the kind of well-rehearsed move that suggests Xabi Alonso’s ideas are finally settling in.
Mbappe’s Second Was Pure Theatre
If the first goal was explosive, the second was pure artistry. In the 59th minute, Mbappe curled a long-range effort that silenced the stadium. Even neutrals online had to pause. Within minutes, social feeds lit up:
“Peak Mbappe is back.”
“Ballon d’Or form incoming.”
“San Mames just watched a masterclass.”
It was the type of goal that becomes a season-defining highlight.
Mbappe now leads the La Liga scoring charts with 16 goals, and his arrival at Madrid is proving every bit as transformative as expected.
Xabi Alonso Praises Madrid’s Most Complete Performance
After the match, Alonso praised the team’s rhythm and discipline, calling the display “probably the best match we’ve had, at a difficult place to go, at a big moment.” For many Madrid supporters, the comment was confirmation that the club’s identity is clicking back into place.
Read More: Inside Real Madrid’s Reported Split Over Xabi Alonso’s Leadership
The Title Race Is Officially On
With the victory, Madrid now sit just one point behind Barcelona. As the season nears its midpoint, the momentum seems to be shifting. Football WhatsApp groups are buzzing with predictions, while local sports bars are gearing up for a fiery second half of the season.Source: SABC Sport
Featured Image Source: Fabrizio Romano on X
For more football news and updates check out: soccermag and africapicks
