**Real Madrid fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat at Athletic Club on Wednesday evening as they lost ground on division leaders Barcelona in La Liga.**
The reigning Spanish champions struggled to create much of note in the first half despite seeing Kylian Mbappe's effort disallowed for offside. Athletic Club were the side on the front foot but couldn't break down an injury-stricken Madrid defence.
That changed shortly after half-time, however, as the hosts took the lead. Thibaut Courtois didn't cover himself in glory as he parried a cross into Alex Berenguer, with the deflection squirming over the line to ignite the home fans inside San Mames.
Kylian Mbappe then missed a second penalty in the space of three games, before Jude Bellingham produced an equaliser in the closing stages. He was quickest to react to Mbappe's rebuffed effort, keeping his cool to slot home and extend his impressive goalscoring run.
However, Athletic Club had the last laugh as they struck just a minute later to secure victory. Federico Valverde was robbed by Gorka Guruzeta deep in his own half and the Spanish forward raced through on goal before restoring the Basque club's lead.
The result leaves Madrid four points adrift of table toppers Barcelona, although they do have a game in hand over their Catalan rivals.
[_**\*Ratings provided by FotMob\***_](https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/matches/athletic-club-vs-real-madrid/2dil23#4506935)
**Player**
**Rating**
**GK:** Julen Agirrezabala
7.4/10
**RB:** Andoni Gorosabel
6.9/10
**CB:** Daniel Vivian
7.5/10
**CB:** Yeray Alvarez
6.9/10
**LB:** Adama Boiro
6.5/10
**DM:** Mikel Jauregizar
6.2/10
**DM:** Benat Prados
7.5/10
**RW:** Alex Berenguer
7.3/10
**AM:** Oihan Sancet
6.8/10
**LW:** Nico Williams
7.0/10
**ST:** Inaki Williams
7.5/10
**SUB:** Gorka Guzureta (63' for Berenguer)
6.9/10
**SUB:** Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta (63' for Prados)
5.8/10
**SUB:** Oscar de Marcos (79' for Gorosabel)
6.1/10
**SUB:** Unai Gomez (80' for Sancet)
6.1/10
**SUB:** Yuri Berchiche (84' for Boiro)
N/A
_Subs not used: Unai Simon (GK), Aitor Paredes, Inigo Lekue, Unai Nunez, Mikel Vesga, Alvaro Djalo, Nico Serrano._
[_**\*Ratings provided by FotMob\***_](https://www.fotmob.com/en-GB/matches/athletic-club-vs-real-madrid/2dil23#4506935)
**Player**
**Rating**
**GK:** Thibaut Courtois
5.7/10
**RB:** Lucas Vazquez
6.2/10
**CB:** Raul Asencio
6.7/10
**CB:** Antonio Rudiger
7.1/10
**LB:** Fran Garcia
6.6/10
**CM:** Federico Valverde
6.5/10
**CM:** Aurelien Tchouameni
7.0/10
**CM:** Dani Ceballos
6.0/10
**AM:** Jude Bellingham
8.0/10
**ST:** Rodrygo
7.2/10
**ST:** Kylian Mbappe
6.8/10
**SUB:** Brahim Diaz (58' for Ceballos)
6.7/10
**SUB:** Ferland Mendy (71' for Garcia)
6.0/10
**SUB:** Luka Modric (71' for Tchouameni)
6.6/10
**SUB:** Endrick (88' for Vazquez)
N/A
**SUB:** Arda Guler (88' for Rodrygo)
N/A
_Subs not used: Andriy Lunin (GK), Sergio Mestre (GK), Jesus Vallejo, Lorenzo Aguado, Gonzalo Garcia._