Kylian Mbappé struck twice and provided an assist as Real Madrid defeated Athletic Bilbao 3–0 on Wednesday, ending a three-match winless run in La Liga.
Eduardo Camavinga also scored for Madrid, which moved to within one point of league leaders Barcelona, who beat Atlético Madrid 3–1 on Tuesday. Both fixtures were played early as Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Atlético will participate in the Spanish Super Cup in January.
Madrid had drawn its previous league matches against Girona, Elche and Rayo Vallecano, and this result marked only its second win in six games across all competitions.
“It was important, after three away draws, to get back to winning on the road,” Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said. “The team came out to play and win the match from the first minute. It was probably our best match this season.”
Mbappé continued his prolific form, taking his tally to seven goals in his last three games. The France forward has now scored 30 goals in 24 appearances for club and country this season and leads both La Liga (16 goals) and the Champions League (nine goals).
He opened the scoring in the seventh minute after breaking away from midfield and finishing from the edge of the area. Camavinga doubled the lead in the 42nd minute with a close-range header following a cross from Mbappé, who then made it 3–0 with a long-range strike from nearly 30 meters in the 59th minute.
Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois praised the forward. “At times I think to myself, ‘How lucky I am to have him on my team.’ He’s unstoppable.”
Madrid suffered setbacks as both Camavinga and Trent Alexander-Arnold were forced off with injuries in the second half. Athletic, currently eighth in the table, have won just two of their last eight matches.
Real Madrid will host Celta Vigo on Sunday in their return to the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, while Athletic Bilbao will face Atlético Madrid on Saturday.
In the Copa del Rey, top-flight Girona were eliminated by third-division Ourense 2–1. Villarreal advanced on penalties against fourth-division Antoniano, and Elche required extra time to beat Quintanar del Rey. All other first-division teams in action progressed to the next round.