Real Madrid Stunned by Athletic Bilbao in a Dramatic Encounter

Athletic Bilbao Earns a Crucial Victory Over Real Madrid

Athletic Bilbao delivered a major blow to Real Madrid's title aspirations with a stunning 2:1 victory at Santiago Bernabéu. In a match filled with drama, missed opportunities, and VAR interventions, the Basque side showcased their resilience and determination to secure all three points.

The first half saw intense action but ended goalless, despite Real Madrid’s early attempts to take control. Kylian Mbappe thought he had opened the scoring in the 13th minute, but his goal was ruled out after a VAR check for offside. The Frenchman’s struggles continued as he failed to convert a penalty in the second half, marking his second consecutive miss after his failed attempt against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League.

It was Alex Berenguer who broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Real Madrid. The forward pounced on a loose ball inside the box and calmly slotted it past Thibaut Courtois, giving Athletic Bilbao a well-deserved lead. Real Madrid managed to equalize in the 78th minute through Jude Bellingham, who tapped home a rebound to restore hope for the home side.

However, Athletic Bilbao had other plans. Just two minutes later, Gorka Guruzeta stunned the Bernabéu crowd with a brilliant finish, reclaiming the lead for the visitors. Despite Real Madrid's desperate efforts to salvage a point, Athletic's defense held firm, and their goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala made crucial saves to ensure victory.

• Alex Berenguer and Gorka Guruzeta were the heroes for Athletic Bilbao.
• Kylian Mbappe’s penalty woes continued, sparking questions about his role at Real Madrid.
• Real Madrid’s loss leaves them trailing Barcelona by four points, intensifying the title race.

Real Madrid's Title Hopes Dented After Home Defeat

With this loss, Real Madrid finds themselves under increasing pressure in the La Liga title race. Trailing Barcelona by four points with a game in hand, Carlo Ancelotti's men must regroup quickly if they hope to stay in contention. While Jude Bellingham continues to deliver consistent performances, the spotlight remains firmly on Kylian Mbappe. His recent penalty struggles and inability to convert key opportunities have drawn criticism, with many questioning the impact of his high-profile transfer from PSG.

Athletic Bilbao, on the other hand, has proven they are not to be underestimated. Led by Ernesto Valverde Tejedor, the team executed their game plan with precision, frustrating Real Madrid’s attack and capitalizing on defensive errors. Gorka Guruzeta’s decisive goal in the 80th minute was a testament to their attacking prowess, while Julen Agirrezabala’s penalty save highlighted their defensive discipline.

This match serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of La Liga. Platforms like BettingSave offer valuable insights into such high-stakes games, analyzing outcomes and providing fans with data-driven predictions. Real Madrid's next fixtures will be crucial as they aim to bounce back and keep their title hopes alive.

• Athletic Bilbao moves up the table with a morale-boosting win over Real Madrid.
• Real Madrid must address their offensive inefficiencies to remain competitive in the title race.
• The La Liga title battle heats up, with Barcelona holding a significant advantage.