3-0 Victory: A Goal-by-Goal Breakdown Of Real Madrid's Latest La Liga Masterclass
The latest chapter in Real Madrid's relentless pursuit of the La Liga title was written just yesterday, December 21, 2025, with a commanding 3-0 victory over a formidable Athletic Bilbao side at the iconic San Mamés. This crucial win not only cemented Los Blancos' position near the summit of the Spanish League standings but also showcased the devastating attacking synergy that manager Carlo Ancelotti has cultivated this season, with star forward Kylian Mbappé delivering a world-class performance.
The match, which was a potential banana skin on the road to the winter break, saw the attacking trio of Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Rodrygo Goes dismantle the Basque defense with clinical efficiency. Fans were treated to a spectacle of goals that highlighted different facets of Real Madrid’s tactical evolution, from devastating counter-attacks to moments of individual brilliance, making the result a clear statement of intent in the 2025/2026 campaign.
The Decisive Scoreline: Real Madrid 3-0 Athletic Bilbao
The clash against Athletic Bilbao is historically one of the most challenging away fixtures in the La Liga calendar. The atmosphere at San Mamés, often referred to as 'The Cathedral', is notoriously intense, and Ernesto Valverde's men are known for their high-pressing, physically demanding style of play. However, Real Madrid, led by the midfield general Jude Bellingham and the defensive solidity of Éder Militão, managed to neutralize the threat and impose their will from the first whistle.
The 3-0 scoreline was a fair reflection of the game's flow, with Real Madrid demonstrating superior control in possession (58%) and sharper finishing in the final third. The goals were spread across both halves, ensuring that the momentum stayed firmly with the visitors and preventing any chance of a late Athletic resurgence. This result keeps pressure firmly on rivals Barcelona in the tightly contested title race, with the gap at the top remaining razor-thin heading into the Christmas fixtures.
Goal 1: Kylian Mbappé's Clinical Opener (28th Minute)
The opening goal, arriving just before the half-hour mark, was a testament to the speed and precision of Real Madrid's transition game. The move began deep in Real Madrid's half when Federico Valverde intercepted a pass from Oihan Sancet. Valverde immediately pinged a long, diagonal ball to Vinícius Júnior on the left flank, who was already in full flight.
- Goalscorer: Kylian Mbappé
- Minute: 28'
- Assist: Vinícius Júnior
- Build-up: A rapid counter-attack initiated by Federico Valverde’s midfield interception.
- Significance: It broke the deadlock in a tense opening period, silencing the San Mamés crowd and allowing Real Madrid to settle into their rhythm.
Vinícius Júnior, showing incredible close control, drove towards the byline before cutting a perfectly weighted low cross back into the penalty area. Kylian Mbappé, having made a clever late run to evade his marker, Óscar de Marcos, met the ball with a first-time, side-footed finish that left goalkeeper Unai Simón with no chance. It was a classic demonstration of the French superstar's predatory instincts inside the box, marking his 14th La Liga goal of the 2025/2026 season.
Detailed Breakdown of the Remaining Real Madrid Goals
The second and third goals were equally important, serving to kill the game early in the second half and provide the necessary goal difference boost, which could be critical in the final Spanish League standings. Ancelotti’s half-time talk clearly focused on maintaining intensity and exploiting the tiring spaces in the Athletic defense.
Goal 2: Vinícius Júnior's Solo Brilliance (55th Minute)
The second goal was pure individual magic from Vinícius Júnior, a player who continues to evolve into one of the world's most decisive attackers. The Brazilian received the ball just outside the penalty area, slightly to the left, and faced two Athletic defenders, Yeray Álvarez and Dani Vivian.
- Goalscorer: Vinícius Júnior
- Minute: 55'
- Assist: Jude Bellingham
- Build-up: A moment of brilliance following a neat pass from Bellingham.
- Significance: It secured a two-goal cushion, effectively ending Athletic Bilbao's realistic hopes of a comeback.
With a quick shimmy and a burst of pace, Vinícius Júnior nutmegged Álvarez, leaving him stranded. He then took one touch to steady himself before unleashing a powerful, curling shot that flew past the outstretched arm of Unai Simón and nestled into the top corner. The sheer quality of the finish underscored the forward's confidence and his growing status as a global superstar. The assist from Jude Bellingham, a simple but perfectly weighted pass, was another highlight of the Englishman's midfield mastery in this Spanish League fixture.
Goal 3: Mbappé Seals the Brace (72nd Minute)
Kylian Mbappé completed his brace and the scoring for the day with a goal that showcased Real Madrid’s tactical flexibility. This time, the goal came not from a counter-attack but from sustained pressure and a set-piece routine that caught the home side off guard.
- Goalscorer: Kylian Mbappé
- Minute: 72'
- Assist: Rodrygo Goes
- Build-up: A quick corner kick routine followed by a decisive cross.
- Significance: It confirmed the three points and the clean sheet, boosting the team's morale and goal difference.
Following a corner kick won by Rodrygo, the Brazilian winger took the set-piece quickly, driving a low cross towards the near post. Mbappé, who had initially positioned himself near the center of the box, sprinted towards the front post, flicking the ball with a deft touch past Simón. It was a goal that demonstrated the forward's versatility—a poacher's finish to complement his earlier counter-attacking strike. The goal also highlighted the tactical preparation of Carlo Ancelotti, who often utilizes quick set-piece routines to exploit momentary lapses in defensive concentration, a key element of the team's topical authority in European football.
The Impact of the Goals on the La Liga Title Race and European Aspirations
The three goals scored against Athletic Bilbao are more than just statistics; they represent a significant momentum shift in the 2025/2026 La Liga season. Real Madrid now sits comfortably in the top two, breathing down the neck of the current leaders, Barcelona.
The Kylian Mbappé Factor
Mbappé's two goals solidify his position as the league’s top goalscorer, providing the consistent, high-volume finishing that Real Madrid craved. His integration into the squad alongside established stars like Vinícius Júnior and Rodrygo has been seamless, creating arguably the most fearsome attacking trident in world football. His performance in this match, specifically his varied goalscoring methods, demonstrates why he is considered a pivotal figure in Los Blancos' quest for both the La Liga trophy and the coveted Champions League title.
Midfield Dominance and Defensive Solidity
While the goalscorers grab the headlines, the goals themselves were a product of midfield dominance. The trio of Jude Bellingham, Federico Valverde, and Aurélien Tchouaméni controlled the tempo, stifling Athletic's counter-attacks and providing the necessary platform for the forwards. The clean sheet, maintained by the excellent form of goalkeeper Andriy Lunin and the reliable partnership of Antonio Rüdiger and Éder Militão, is equally important. This defensive strength is a non-negotiable for any side aiming for the Spanish League title.
The goals scored today—or rather, yesterday—are a powerful message to all competitors. They confirm that Real Madrid is operating at peak efficiency, capable of winning difficult away games with both flair and defensive discipline. As the season progresses into the crucial winter and spring months, the goal-scoring exploits of Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior will be the driving force behind the team's push for silverware in both domestic and European competitions, including the upcoming Copa del Rey fixtures. The consistency of this attacking output is what separates the current Real Madrid side from its rivals in the 2025/2026 campaign.
Detail Author:
- Name : Miss Eulah Boyle V
- Username : ward94
- Email : mbecker@hamill.info
- Birthdate : 2007-08-29
- Address : 889 Weber Lock Apt. 977 Cletaland, IL 56815
- Phone : 615-908-3227
- Company : Walsh-Mitchell
- Job : Insurance Investigator
- Bio : Facere placeat magni aut et et quaerat dolore. Aut eaque facilis ut similique vitae. Unde vero et debitis quaerat nisi enim. Numquam qui eligendi doloribus.
Socials
tiktok:
- url : https://tiktok.com/@champlin1974
- username : champlin1974
- bio : Enim quia et occaecati dolorum et qui illum.
- followers : 6152
- following : 2846
facebook:
- url : https://facebook.com/tiara.champlin
- username : tiara.champlin
- bio : Ipsum doloremque libero itaque aut ullam possimus.
- followers : 6914
- following : 1781
instagram:
- url : https://instagram.com/champlin2025
- username : champlin2025
- bio : Laboriosam quia voluptatem dolor ut ex quaerat voluptatem. Magnam aut earum rem optio.
- followers : 4454
- following : 1220
