Real Madrid produced a commanding performance to defeat Athletic Club 3-0 at the Estadio de San Mamés on Wednesday night, closing the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to just one point.

Kylian Mbappé starred with a brilliant brace, while Eduardo Camavinga added a third as Carlo Ancelotti’s side strengthened their title challenge.

The visitors made a perfect start when Mbappé opened the scoring just seven minutes into the match, finishing confidently after a precise assist from Trent Alexander-Arnold. 

Real controlled the early stages with authority, keeping Athletic on the back foot and silencing the home crowd with their sharp passing and movement.

Real doubled their advantage shortly before the break through Camavinga, who found the net in the 42nd minute after being set up by Mbappé. 

The goal capped a dominant first-half display and left Athletic facing a mountain to climb at half-time with the scoreline reading 2-0.

Athletic tried to respond after the interval with renewed energy, but their efforts were repeatedly frustrated by a disciplined Real Madrid defence. 

Any lingering hopes of a comeback were extinguished in the 59th minute when Mbappé struck again, coolly finishing after a well-worked move initiated by Álvaro Carreras.

The second half saw Real manage the game with maturity, limiting Athletic to half-chances while continuing to pose a threat on the counter. 

Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé, and Eder Militão were later withdrawn to preserve energy, while concerns emerged over possible injuries to Camavinga and Alexander-Arnold.

The victory marked Real Madrid’s seventh clean sheet in 15 league matches this season and reinforced their status as serious title contenders. They face Celta Vigo next in the La Liga and Manchester City in the UCL.

For Athletic Club, who remain eighth in the table, attention now turns to a daunting run of fixtures, including league action against Atlético Madrid and a Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.