Kylian Mbappe on Wednesday scored twice and had an assist as Real Madrid beat Athletic Bilbao 3-0 to end a three-match winless streak in La Liga.
Eduardo Camavinga also found the net for Madrid as they moved back within one point of Barcelona, who beat Atletico Madrid 3-1 on Tuesday.
Both 19th-round matches were moved forward because Real Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Club and Atletico Madrid are to play in the Supercopa de Espana semi-finals in Saudi Arabia next month.
Photo: EPA
Real Madrid were coming off league draws against Girona, Elche and Rayo Vallecano. It was their second win in their past six matches in all competitions.
“It was important, after three away draws, to get back to winning on the road,” Real Madrid manager 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.”
“Kylian is going through a great moment,” Alonso said. “He scored two great goals and moved well. His connection with Vini [Vinicius Junior] was very nice.”
Mbappe scored his first goal in a breakaway in the seventh minute, picking up the ball near midfield and clearing a couple of defenders during his run before finding the net from the edge of the area.
Camavinga added to the lead with a header from close range in the 42nd minute after an assist by Mbappe, and the France international got his second goal with a nice shot from nearly 30m out in the 59th minute.
“At times I think to myself: ‘How lucky I am to have him on my team and not have to face him, except maybe against France,” said Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, a Belgium international. “He’s unstoppable, we really enjoy watching him play.”
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