Kylian Mbappe’s first two goals in La Liga helped Real Madrid claim a much-needed victory over Real Betis on Sunday night.
Los Blancos had fallen behind Barcelona in the title race after drawing two of their opening three games but the France captain raced through to finish in the 67th minute before converting a penalty when Vinicius Junior was taken out by goalkeeper Rui Silva.
The result takes Madrid back up to second, four points behind Clasico rivals Barca at the top.
How the game unfolded
A quiet start eventually sparked into life when Betis stopper Silva was forced into an impressive save. Rodrygo’s corner dipped for Eder Militao, whose dangerous header was arching towards goal before Silva pushed it away from danger.
There remained some spluttering in the Madrid attack, with Vinicius and Mbappe frequently wanting to attack from similar areas on the pitch, but there were also moments of good link-up between the two world-class performers. Mbappe turned past two defenders before finding Vinicius and charging into the box himself, though the 25-year-old couldn’t quite get on the end of the cross.
Rodrygo was involved in another near-miss for Madrid, getting to the byline before seeing his shot get tangled up in the side-netting moments before the half-time whistle blew.
Mbappe sent a wild effort over the bar from just eight yards out after the start of the second half, but he spared his own blushes while becoming Madrid’s match-winner by scoring his first two goals in La Liga.
The opener eventually came in the 67th minute courtesy of a deft Federico Valverde back-heel. That neat flick helped Mbappe race clear and finish confidently, sending the Bernabeu into raptures.
Substitute Brahim Diaz played a role in the first goal and did so again for the second strike. The Morocco international weaved through midfield and played in Vinicius who sprinted through on goal, touching the ball beyond Silva and going down. The incident was initially ignored for offside, but the video assistant referee soon intervened and a penalty was awarded.
Mbappe stepped up, unlike last time out against Las Palmas when Vinicius took the spot-kick, but the end result was the same as the summer signing bagged his second goal of the night to wrap up all three points.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 7/10 – Didn’t make loads of saves but had to be constantly aware and did enough to deserve his clean sheet.
RB: Dani Carvajal – 5/10 – Didn’t…
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