By SCM Sports Correspondent
BILBAO, SPAIN — It’s known simply as ‘The Cathedral.’ A fortress built on Basque pride, where the air vibrates with an intensity few clubs outside of Anfield or Celtic Park can match.
For 90 minutes last night, San Mamés was supposed to be Real Madrid’s spiritual graveyard, the place where their shaky title hopes finally died.
Instead, Kylian Mbappé didn’t just walk into the church—he stole the offering plate, switched off the lights, and left the 51,000-strong congregation in stunned silence.
Real Madrid delivered a masterclass in controlled aggression, defying the red-and-white fury of the Athletic Club faithful to secure a stunning 3-0 victory that sends a terrifying warning to Barcelona.
The atmosphere at kick-off was, predictably, ferocious.
The famously steep stands and modern architecture of San Mamés are designed to amplify sound, creating a dizzying, intimidating cauldron where visiting teams buckle. Every Madrid touch in the early stages was met with a chorus of whistles and nationalist fervour.
But the sheer brilliance of the Galácticos proved immune to the noise.
It took just seven minutes for the roof to cave in on the home side.
A sublime cross-field pass sliced through the midfield chaos, landing perfectly for Mbappé. The French superstar took two touches, shrugged off a defender, and thundered a strike past Unai Simón to make it 0-1.
The stunned silence was momentary, but the damage was done. The psychological advantage the “Cathedral” usually offers was immediately eroded.
Athletic tried to rally, spurred on by the desperate roars of the Herrit Norte Taldea ultras section, but they couldn’t pierce the solid white wall marshalled by Thibaut Courtois.
Just before the break, Madrid delivered the killer blow. Mbappé, turning provider, laid the groundwork for Eduardo Camavinga to slot home from close range in the 42nd minute (0-2).
Two-nil down at the break in Bilbao is usually a death sentence for the home team’s hopes, and the energy draining from the stands was palpable.
MBAPPÉ’S MARTYRDOM
The second half was a slow, painful grind for the Lions of San Mamés. Every misplaced pass, every stray shot, seemed to suck more volume from the previously deafening arena.
The executioner’s final flourish came on 59 minutes. Showing his capacity for individual brilliance, Mbappé received the ball far outside the box and unleashed a second, unstoppable strike. It rocketed past Simón, sealing the 0-3 rout and cementing his place as Man of the Match.
The defeat leaves Athletic Club in a difficult spot in the race for European places, but for Real Madrid, this performance was more than three points. It was a statement. They didn’t just beat Athletic Club; they conquered their spiritual home, leaving the iconic Cathedral hushed and the LaLiga title race wide open.
