Carlo Ancelotti's side missed a chance to close the gap on Barcelona atop La Liga with a disappointing defeat on the road
Kylian Mbappe missed from the penalty spot again amid a lifeless performance as Real Madrid fell at a raucous San Mames to Athletic Club on Wednesday. Los Blancos' big-name summer signing saw a second straight spot-kick saved, and although Jude Bellingham kept Madrid in the game with his fourth goal in as many Liga games, two defensive errors proved costly in a 2-1 loss.
Madrid were on the back foot early as the home side enjoying a flurry of chances while the visitors failed to create much of note. The closest they came was a deflected Mbappe shot squirming into the net, only for his goal ruled out for offside. Federico Valverde also had an opportunity from a free-kick, but sent the ball well over the bar.
The home side took the lead early in the second half, when Thibaut Courtois parried a teasing ball directly into the path of Alex Berenguer, who walked the ball into the net from three yards out. Madrid had a golden chance to equalise through Mbappe, but the Frenchman missed his second penalty in a week – with reserve goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala parrying his shot away.
Bellingham made up for his team-mate's mistake, turning home from close-range to level the scores with 12 minutes remaining. A signature Madrid comeback seemed to be on, but Athletic responded immediately, with Gorka Guruzeta taking advantage of a Valverde error and finishing past Courtois.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from San Mames…
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Goalkeeper & Defence
Thibaut Courtois (5/10):
Made a couple of important saves, but his mistake led to the Athletic opener.
Lucas Vazquez (6/10):
Ran a lot, kept Nico Williams quiet, but his final pass was missing.
Raul Asencio (6/10):
Made a couple of vital defensive interventions in the first half. Done for pace on the Athletic winner.
Antonio Rudiger (6/10):
Won the Madrid penalty, kept things tidy defensively.
Fran Garcia (7/10):
Put in some really excellent defensive work. Unlucky to be subbed.
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Midfield
Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10):
Good to have him back as a presence, but he was really sloppy at times. A mixed 70 minutes.
Federico Valverde (5/10):
Blasted a fre- kick miles over the bar in his only real action of the first half. Really good in the second until he gave the ball away to gift Athletic the winner – a rare costly mistake.
Dani Ceballos (5/10):
As tidy as usual with the ball, but lacking in imagination. Deservedly removed on the hour.
Jude Bellingham (8/10):
Absolutely everywhere throughout. Drove forward, tracked back, and grabbed Madrid's only goal. He won't bag 20 goals this season, but Bellingham has been quietly excellent of late.
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Attack
Rodrygo (5/10):
Floated around quite a lot without being particularly impactful. Doesn't have a great understanding with Mbappe yet.
Kylian Mbappe (3/10):
Had the ball in the back of the net in the first half, but was well offside. Missed another penalty. A miserable evening.
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Subs & Manager
Brahim Diaz (5/10):
Darted into space, tried to make things happen, but never in the right area to deliver.
Ferland Mendy (6/10):
A confusing sub, although he didn't do much wrong.
Luka Modric (5/10):
Looked off the pace, in truth. A bit too frantic for him.
Endrick (N/A):
Too little, too late.
Arda Guler (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Carlo Ancelotti (4/10):
Went with his strongest side, and had his two forwards float around a bit. But Los Blancos were pretty much outplayed throughout, defensive errors and another penalty miss proving costly. Another forgettable day.
