Real Madrid endured their second La Liga defeat of the season, falling 2-1 to Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday in the 16th round, at Bilbao’s iconic San Mamés Stadium.
Alex Berenguer and Gorka Guruzeta found the net for Athletic Bilbao in the 53rd and 80th minutes, while Jude Bellingham scored Real Madrid’s lone goal in the 79th minute.
This marks Real Madrid’s second loss in La Liga this season, following a heavy 4-0 defeat to Barcelona in the 11th round.
With this defeat, Real Madrid remained 33 points, sitting in second place in La Liga, four points behind leaders Barcelona. Meanwhile, Athletic Bilbao climbed to fourth place with 29 points.
The match started with intense pressure from the hosts. In the 4th minute, Athletic Bilbao’s Nico Williams broke into the penalty area and fired a shot, but Thibaut Courtois made a fine save.
Bilbao players appealed for a penalty in the 10th minute after a possible handball by Real Madrid’s Marco Asensio, but the referee allowed play to continue.
Kylian Mbappé thought he had opened the scoring for Real Madrid in the 12th minute, but the referee ruled it out for offside.
After consulting VAR, the referee reviewed the disallowed goal and a potential penalty claim for a foul on Mbappé during the buildup. However, no penalty was awarded.
Real Madrid were awarded an indirect free kick just outside the box in the 20th minute. Federico Valverde unleashed a thunderous strike, but it narrowly missed the target.
Nico Williams then created a brilliant chance, sprinting forward and delivering a backheel pass to Alex Berenguer, who positioned himself to continue the attack.
In the 30th minute, Alex Berenguer received a pass from Nico Williams and fired a shot that narrowly sailed over Courtois’ crossbar.
Early in the second half, Athletic Bilbao broke the deadlock. Inaki Williams delivered a cross that Asensio failed to clear. Although Courtois initially parried the ball, Berenguer was perfectly positioned to capitalize on the rebound, slotting it into the net to give Bilbao the lead.
In the 59th minute, Rodrygo sent a through ball to Kylian Mbappé, who took a shot, but his effort lacked power and was easily saved by goalkeeper Agirrezabala.
Real Madrid were awarded a penalty in the 66th minute after a reckless challenge by Agirrezabala on Antonio Rudiger. However, the Frenchman, who stepped up to take the penalty, saw his shot to the bottom left brilliantly saved by Agirrezabala.
Jude Bellingham levelled the score for Real Madrid in the 78th minute. Mbappé unleashed a powerful strike from outside the box, forcing a save from Agirrezabala, but the ball rebounded to Bellingham, who calmly slotted it home.
Just two minutes later, Bilbao regained the lead. Gorka Guruzeta capitalized on a costly error by Federico Valverde, finding himself one-on-one with Courtois and confidently finishing to make it 2-1.
Luka Modric came close to equalizing in the 88th minute with a powerful strike from distance, but it flew over Bilbao’s goal.
Despite relentless pressure from Real Madrid in the closing minutes, they were unable to find another goal, succumbing to a frustrating defeat.
