MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé had two goals and an assist as Real Madrid defeated Athletic Bilbao 3-0 on Wednesday, ending a three-game winning streak in the Spanish league.
Eduardo Camavinga also found the back of the net for Madrid, which brought them within one point of Barcelona. 3-1 victory over Atlético Madrid on tuesday.
Both Matchday 19 matches have been moved forward as Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic and Atlético will take part in the Spanish Super Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia in January.
Madrid are coming off league draws with Girona, Elche and Rayo Vallecano. It was Madrid’s second win in their last six games in all competitions.
“After drawing three games away, it was important to get back to winning ways away,” said Madrid manager Xabi Alonso. “The team approached the game from the start with good concentration, intensity and rhythm and won the game. It was probably our best game of the season.”
Mbappe has scored seven goals in his last three competitive games. He scored one goal against Girona and four in the 4-3 Champions League win over Olympiakos. The French star has scored 30 goals in 24 appearances for club and country this season, making him the top scorer in both the Spanish league (16 goals) and the Champions League (9 goals).
“Kylian is experiencing a great moment,” Alonso said. “He scored two great goals and moved well. His connection with Vini (Vinicius Junior) was very good.”
Mbappe scored his first goal on Wednesday with a breakaway in the seventh minute, picking up the ball near midfield and running past several defenders before firing into the net from the edge of the area.
In the 42nd minute, Camavinga extended their lead with a header from close range after an assist from Mbappe, and in the 59th minute the France international scored his second goal with a nice shot from nearly 30 meters out.
“Sometimes I think, ‘How lucky we are to have him in our team and not have to play against him except against France,'” Madrid’s goalkeeper, Belgian international Thibaut Courtois, said. “He’s unstoppable. We really enjoy watching him play.”
Camavinga was forced to be substituted in the 69th minute due to an apparent injury. Madrid lost Trent Alexander-Arnold to injury in the 55th minute.
Athletic, who sit in eighth place, have won just two of their last eight games.
Madrid return to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday to host Celta Vigo. Athletic host fourth-placed Atlético on Saturday.
___
AP Soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer
