Kylian Mbappe missed another penalty as champions Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat at Athletic Bilbao in La Liga on Wednesday.

A week after the French superstar was denied a penalty against Liverpool in the Champions League, he suffered further misery from 12 yards as Los Blancos allowed league leaders Barcelona to maintain their four-point lead.

Alejandro Berenguer gave Bilbao the lead early in the second half and Jude Bellingham equalized for Madrid after Mbappe missed a penalty.

However, substitute Gorka Guruzeta secured fourth place for Athletic in the 80th minute following a mistake from Fede Valverde.

The defeat and Mbappe’s missed penalty will put even more pressure on the former Paris Saint-Germain striker after much criticism in recent weeks.

Madrid were hoping to build on three straight wins in La Liga despite the absence of Vinicius Junior and other injured stars. Coach Carlo Ancelotti brought French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni back into the starting line-up.

Thibaut Courtois made an important early intervention to deny Spanish winger Nico Williams, while his brother Inaki Williams lurked dangerously.

There were few clear chances in the first half, but the game was intense in front of the packed San Mames Stadium.

Mbappe did find the back of the net but the goal was disallowed for offside and the referee considered a penalty appeal against Rodrygo but ruled the Brazilian winger went down too easily.

At the other end, Berenguer should have given the hosts the lead but shot high over the bar after Inaki Williams put him ahead with a clever backheel.

The striker made amends at the start of the second half, firing home from close range after Courtois could only deflect Inaki Williams’ cross into his path.

Mbappe had the chance to equalize for Madrid from the penalty spot when Athletic goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala hit Antonio Rüdiger.

After missing his penalty against Liverpool, Mbappe agreed to let Jude Bellingham take a penalty against Getafe on Sunday.

This time, however, the French striker stepped up himself, but his weak shot, again to the goalkeeper’s left, was at a comfortable height for Agirrezabala to parry.

However, Mbappé was involved in Madrid’s equalizer, with a vicious shot from distance that the stopper could only push into the path of Bellingham, who neatly scored his fourth goal in his last four league games.

Madrid equalized for just two minutes before Bilbao regained the lead through Guruzeta, who stole the ball as Valverde prepared to pass and shot low past Courtois.

Mbappe cut a dejected figure in the closing stages as the Athletic defense quickly repelled an attempt to penetrate down the left flank to loud cheers from their cheering fans.

Barcelona beat Mallorca 5-1 on Tuesday to move four points ahead of Madrid, who have played a game less.

rbs/ex