Kylian Mbappé delivered a masterclass of redemption at San Mamés, scoring two superb goals to inspire a vital 3-0 victory for Real Madrid against Athletic Bilbao. The French forward's brilliant performance on Wednesday night came exactly a year after he missed a penalty at the same stadium, an event he later described as a pivotal moment in his career.
A Cathedral of Contrasts: From Failure to Triumph
The match at the stadium nicknamed 'the Cathedral' represented a stark contrast in fortunes for Mbappé and his team. On 4 December 2024, a missed penalty at San Mamés left Mbappé feeling he had "hit rock bottom." Fast forward to 3 December 2025, and the striker departed the pitch having scored his 59th goal in 59 games since that low point, having also set up a goal for Eduardo Camavinga.
The victory provided much-needed breathing space for manager Xabi Alonso, whose position had come under scrutiny after a run of three consecutive away draws. The win closed the gap on league leaders Barcelona to just one point, after the Catalans had beaten Atlético Madrid 3-1 the previous night.
Alonso Adapts and Tensions Ease
The build-up to the match was overshadowed by visible tensions within the Madrid camp, most notably Vinícius Júnior's angry reaction to being substituted in the recent Clásico. His subsequent apology notably omitted any mention of the manager, and reports suggested a lack of public backing for Alonso from the club's hierarchy.
In response, Alonso adapted his tactical approach. He deployed a system closer to a 4-4-2, with Aurélien Tchouaméni dropping deep to free the full-backs, while Jude Bellingham formed part of a powerful midfield unit. The strategy relied on direct play, with Trent Alexander-Arnold's long diagonal passes proving instrumental. Alexander-Arnold provided assists for the first two goals before suffering an injury expected to sideline him for two months.
The significance of a potential reconciliation was not lost when Vinícius, substituted later in the game, embraced Alonso on the touchline—a marked difference from his previous reaction.
Mbappé's Mastery and Madrid's Immediate Future
Mbappé's individual quality was the undeniable difference. His first goal was a masterpiece: controlling Alexander-Arnold's 60-yard pass with a sublime first touch, driving from near the halfway line, and firing home from the edge of the box. His second was a cunning near-post finish, deceiving goalkeeper Unai Simón after shaping to shoot far post.
Mbappé now has 25 goals and four assists this season alone, and 55 in the calendar year of 2025—just four shy of Cristiano Ronaldo's club record. His output accounts for almost 60% of Madrid's goals this campaign.
While the performance against an unusually docile Athletic side offers hope, major questions remain. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois admitted the team struggles more against defensive, low-block teams like Girona or Elche. The collective structure and the high press Alonso desires are still works in progress. The true test of this resurgence will come next week with the visit of Manchester City in the Champions League.
For now, however, the 'fire' referenced by the Spanish press has been temporarily extinguished. Mbappé's divine intervention at the Cathedral has provided salvation, offering Alonso a foundation upon which to build and a fleeting moment of calm before the next storm.
