Real Madrid’s title chase suffered a significant setback as Kylian Mbappe’s penalty misfortunes continued in a dramatic 2-1 defeat to Athletic Club at the San Mames Stadium. The French superstar’s spot-kick struggles have now become a growing concern for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, following his second consecutive penalty miss in crucial matches.
The high-stakes encounter took a decisive turn when Mbappe stepped up to take a penalty after Athletic Club’s Alejandro Remiro had put the hosts ahead in the 53rd minute. The pressure was palpable as the 25-year-old French captain, still reeling from his penalty miss against Liverpool in last week’s Champions League fixture, faced another crucial spot-kick opportunity. However, his effort was thwarted once again, raising questions about his reliability from the penalty spot.
Despite manager Carlo Ancelotti’s continued faith in Mbappe by entrusting him with penalty duties, the forward’s recent record from twelve yards has become a talking point. The miss proved costly as Real Madrid struggled to maintain their momentum in the La Liga title race, now finding themselves four points adrift of arch-rivals Barcelona at the top of the table.
The match itself was a testament to the unpredictable nature of La Liga, with Real Madrid showing resilience through Jude Bellingham, who managed to level the score in the 78th minute. The England international’s equalizer briefly sparked hopes of a comeback for the visitors, but these were swiftly extinguished by Gorka Guruzeta’s late winner for Athletic Club, sending the San Mames crowd into raptures.
The defeat raises important questions about Real Madrid’s penalty-taking hierarchy, especially given the high-stakes nature of such opportunities in crucial matches. Mbappe, whose arrival at Real Madrid was heralded as a game-changing signing, now faces the challenge of rebuilding his confidence from the penalty spot while continuing to lead the line for one of world football’s most demanding clubs.
The sequence of events at San Mames also highlighted the fine margins in title races, where single moments can have far-reaching consequences. Real Madrid’s inability to capitalize on the penalty opportunity not only cost them valuable points but also provided their title rivals with psychological advantage as the season progresses.
For Athletic Club, the victory represented more than just three points. Their tactical discipline and resilience against one of Europe’s elite teams showcased why the Basque club remains one of La Liga’s most formidable opponents, especially at their iconic San Mames stadium. The win was orchestrated through a perfect blend of defensive solidity and opportunistic attacking play, with Remiro’s opener and Guruzeta’s winner bookending a memorable performance.
Looking ahead, Real Madrid faces an immediate challenge to bounce back as they prepare for a crucial encounter against Girona. The fixture takes on added significance given the recent setback, with Ancelotti’s men knowing they cannot afford further slip-ups in their pursuit of the La Liga title.
The incident also opens up broader discussions about penalty-taking responsibilities within elite teams. While Mbappe’s overall contribution to Real Madrid’s attack remains invaluable, his recent penalty misses might prompt tactical discussions within the coaching staff about alternative options for spot-kicks in future matches.
For Mbappe personally, this period represents perhaps the most challenging sequence of his Real Madrid career thus far. How he responds to these setbacks could prove crucial not only for his own development but also for Real Madrid’s aspirations across all competitions this season.
As the Spanish giants navigate through this challenging period, the focus will inevitably turn to how they manage the psychological impact of such defeats while maintaining their challenge for domestic and European honors. With Barcelona maintaining their lead at the top of La Liga, Real Madrid’s response in the coming fixtures could prove decisive in determining the ultimate destination of this season’s title.
