Mbappe magic ends Real Madrid's winless woes with dazzling double at Bilbao

BILBAO, Spain, Dec 3 : An inspired Kylian Mbappe scored two fabulous goals to guide Real Madrid to a commanding 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday, ending their three-game winless streak in LaLiga.

The win keeps Real in second place with 36 points from 15 matches, one behind leaders Barcelona.

Real started brightly, with Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon called into action within the opening minutes. Misjudgements by the home defence gifted chances to Mbappe and Vinicius Jr, only for Simon to deny both with exceptional saves. However, the hosts' resistance crumbled in the seventh minute.

Mbappe, receiving a long ball near the halfway line, brushed aside two defenders in a dynamic solo run before curling a stunning strike into the top corner from the edge of the penalty area.

The combination of Mbappe and Vinicius Jr terrorised Athletic's defence throughout the first half, though Madrid's forwards were often wasteful in front of goal.

Athletic nearly punished Real for their missed chances in the 24th minute when Gorka Guruzeta intercepted Federico Valverde's wayward pass and unleashed a fierce strike, only for Thibaut Courtois to produce a superb reflex save.

Moments later, Courtois thwarted Alex Berenguer's close-range effort in another display of his agility.

Madrid doubled their lead just before halftime. A patient build-up culminated in Trent Alexander-Arnold delivering a pinpoint cross from the right wing to the far post. Mbappe nodded the ball back inside the six-yard box, where Eduardo Camavinga headed in from close range.

There was still time before the break, however, for Courtois to make another great stop to deny a thunderous Mikel Jauregizar shot from outside the box.

The second half saw Real ease off the tempo,