Athletic Bilbao – Real Madrid 2-1: Jude Bellingham scores but Real Madrid loses in La Liga

Jude Bellingham’s fourth goal in four games was not enough to prevent Real Madrid from suffering their second La Liga defeat in a thrilling game at Athletic Bilbao.

The England midfielder brought Carlo Ancelotti’s side level in the 78th minute after being the first to react to a poor save from Julen Agirrezabala.

However, the home team pressed forward and an uncharacteristic error from Federico Valverde allowed Gorka Guruzeta to find the net and he coolly slotted past Real keeper Thibaut Courtois.

Before Bellingham’s equalizer, Kylian Mbappe had the chance to equalize with a penalty after Agirrezabala fouled Antonio Rüdiger, but the Frenchman’s spot-kick was well saved – as was the case in the defeat to Liverpool in the Champions League last week.

“He is not at his best level but you have to give him time to adapt. He scored ten goals and is working on doing better,” Ancelotti said of Mbappe’s performance.

“I haven’t spoken to him. It was a complicated game, even hard fought. When we equalized we were able to remember to be in control and little details punished us tonight.”

“We missed the penalty. I don’t have to rate a player’s game because sometimes a penalty is taken and sometimes it’s missed. Of course he is disappointed, but we have to move on.”

It was a tough moment for Mbappe at Anfield, where his side suffered a 2-0 defeat, but his goal on Sunday was the Frenchman’s eighth in the league and provided a basis for recovery after a shaky start to life in Spain Build up.

However, his performance at San Mames showed that there is still a lot of work to be done for Real’s coaching staff if they are to fully integrate Mbappe into the European champions’ way of working.

Despite the absence of Vinicius Junior on the left, Mbappe initially played his awkward central role and often found himself out of bounds, which created large gaps in Real’s attacking game.

There have been glimpses of Mbappé’s full performance, but they have been few and far between since his move from Paris St-Germain in the summer.

The hosts took the lead eight minutes into the second half with a neat finish from Alex Berenguer following a superb cross from Nico Williams.

Real pushed hard for an equalizer in the final minutes, with Mbappe close, but Ernesto Valverde’s side held on and sent the home fans into a frenzy.

Their second defeat of the La Liga season means Ancelotti’s side remain four points behind leaders Barcelona with a game to play.

Athletic Bilbao’s first league win against Real since March 2015 puts the team three points behind third-placed Atlético Madrid.