Writing by Alex Mark December 5, 2024 2:41 am UTC+0
Kylian Mbappe‘s Penalty Woes Haunt Real Madrid in Shock Defeat
Kylian Mbappe missed a second penalty in a week as LaLiga champions Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao. A week after fluffing his lines from the spot against Liverpool in the Champions League, Mbappe again failed to convert from 12 yards after Antonio Rudiger was fouled. Despite Jude Bellingham’s late equalizer, Madrid ultimately fell to defeat as Federico Valverde’s gift allowed Gorka Guruzeta to strike the winner.
The loss leaves Madrid four points behind Barcelona, who they have a game in hand on, in the LaLiga title race. Mbappe’s penalty struggles continue to be a concern as the French star looks to establish himself at the Bernabeu, while Madrid have now lost five of their last 11 matches in all competitions. Bilbao, meanwhile, became the only team to have beaten both Madrid and Barcelona this season.