Kylian Mbappe missed another penalty as champions Real Madrid fell to a 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Wednesday.
A week after the French superstar failed from the spot in the Champions League against Liverpool he endured further misery from 12 yards as Los Blancos allowed league leaders Barcelona to retain their four-point advantage.
Alejandro Berenguer fired Bilbao ahead early in the second half, with Jude Bellingham levelling for Madrid after Mbappe’s penalty miss. However, substitute Gorka Guruzeta snatched fourth-place Athletic victory in the 80th minute after a Fede Valverde mistake.
The defeat and Mbappe’s penalty miss will heap further pressure on the former Paris Saint-Germain striker’s shoulders after plenty of criticism in recent weeks.
Madrid were hoping to build on three consecutive wins in La Liga, despite missing Vinicius Junior and other injured stars, with coach Carlo Ancelotti bringing French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni back into the starting line-up.
Thibaut Courtois made an important early intervention to deny Spain winger Nico Williams, with his brother Inaki Williams lurking dangerously. It was a first half of few clear chances but played with intensity before a packed San Mames stadium.
Mbappe found the net but the goal was ruled out for offside and the referee reviewed a Rodrygo penalty appeal but decided the Brazilian winger went down too easily.