Athletic 2-1 Real Madrid (Dec 4, 2024) Game Analysis
Kylian Mbappé missed his second penalty in a week as LaLiga champions Real Madrid slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Athletic Club on Tuesday, their fourth loss in the last seven games in all competitions.
Unbeaten for almost two months, Athletic dominated proceedings and took the lead thanks to a close-range effort by Alex Berenguer in the 53rd minute, but Mbappé had a great chance to level from the spot after defender Antonio Rudiger was fouled 15 minutes later.
However, the France forward, who missed a spot kick in the Champions League loss at Liverpool last week, stroked another weak shot that made it easy for Julen Agirrezabala to palm the effort away.
Madrid finally managed to equalise in the 78th minute when Jude Bellingham fired home a rebound, but a bad mistake by Federico Valverde gifted the ball to Gorka Guruzeta who struck the winner past a helpless Thibaut Courtois one minute later.
Madrid missed the chance to close the gap on leaders Barcelona, who top the standings on 37 points, four ahead of second-placed Real who have a game in hand. Athletic are fourth on 29 points.
