Led by their French superstar Kylian Mbappé, who scored twice and provided an assist, Real Madrid returned to winning ways in La Liga on Wednesday by beating Athletic Bilbao at San Mamés (3-0) to come within one point of their eternal rival, FC Barcelona, the league leaders.

With their backs against the wall in the cauldron of the Basque "cathedral" after three consecutive league draws, the Spanish giant dispelled the doubts surrounding their coach Xabi Alonso with a finally convincing collective performance.

A crucial success, achieved largely thanks to their savior Kylian Mbappé, who scored a superb brace (7th, 59th) and provided a decisive assist for his teammate in the French national team Eduardo Camavinga (42nd).

The Madrid club (2nd, 36 points) thus remains in contact with Barça (1st, 37 points), the reigning champion, who won on Tuesday (3-1) the clash against Atlético (4th, 31 points), in an early match of the 19th day.

Lined up in a 4-4-2 system, with Aurélien Tchouaméni and Camavinga starting alongside Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham, the Madrid players imposed their game from the outset, forcing the goalkeeper of La Roja, Unai Simon, into two saves against Mbappé and Vinicius Junior (4th, 5th).

He could only concede defeat a few minutes later when the French striker, found by a long ball from English full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, opened the scoring with a powerful right-footed shot after a solo run through the Basque defence (7th, 1-0).

Much more mobile, involved in pressing and in duels, the players of the White House, who were stringing together interesting sequences of possession, were then almost caught out on a daring clearance.

They were fortunately able to rely, as often, on their impenetrable Belgian goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who made two huge saves to prevent the Basque Lions from equalizing (26th, 30th).

- Mbappé unstoppable, Alexander-Arnold decisive -

Xabi Alonso's men, still dominant in the game, varied their approaches, notably trying to find Mbappé and Vinicius with long balls.

But the Brazilian hit the left post in quick succession from a tight angle (33rd) and Unai Simon, who came out well at his feet (38th).

The Merengues, in a conquering mood, finally broke the deadlock just before halftime thanks to Camavinga's second goal of the season, positioned as an attacker to head home a superb collective move after a pass from Mbappé on a perfect cross from Alexander-Arnold (43rd, 2-0).

The former Liverpool defender, who was delivering his best performance since his arrival this summer, was subsequently forced to leave his teammates at the start of the second half clutching his right ankle (55th minute), as was the former Rennes player (69th minute).

Saved once again by Courtois' firm hand (49th), the Spanish giant sealed their victory just before the hour mark by taking advantage of the passivity of the Basque defense, which allowed Mbappé to score a brace with a sudden shot from outside the box (59th, 3-0).

The 25th goal of the season in all competitions for the French captain, more than ever "Pichichi," top scorer in La Liga with 16 goals in 15 matches. More than ever the leader of a Real Madrid side that is finally breathing easier.