Madrid, Dec 4: Kylian Mbappé scored twice and had an assist as Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 to end a three-match winless streak in the Spanish league.
Eduardo Camavinga also found the net for Madrid on Wednesday as it moved back within one point of Barcelona, which beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 on Tuesday.
Both 19th-round matches were moved forward because Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic and Atletico will be playing in the Spanish Super Cup in January in Saudi Arabia.
Madrid was coming off league draws at Girona, Elche and Rayo Vallecano. It was Madrid’s second win in its last six matches in all competitions.
“It was important, after three away draws, to get back to winning on the road,” Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said.“The team came out to play and win the match from the first minute, with good focus, intensity and rhythm. It was probably our best match this season.”
Mbappé has scored seven goals in his last three matches in all competitions. He had scored once against Girona, and netted four times at Olympiakos in a 4-3 Champions League win. The France star has 30 goals in 24 appearances between club and country this season and is the leading scorer in both the Spanish league (16 goals) and the Champions League (nine goals).
“Kylian is going through a great moment,” Alonso said. “He scored two great goals and moved well. His connection with Vini (Vinícius Júnior) was very nice.” (AP)W
