Kylian Mbappe delivered a stellar performance for Real Madrid, scoring twice in a 3-2 Copa del Rey victory against Talavera. This win propelled Real Madrid into the last 16 of the tournament.
Mbappe’s Pursuit of Ronaldo’s Record
The 26-year-old French forward now stands just one goal shy of equaling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record of 59 goals for Real Madrid in a calendar year, set in 2013. With his current tally at 58 goals in 2025, Mbappe aims to match this impressive milestone during the upcoming La Liga match against Sevilla.
Key Match Events
- Date: Match played recently
- Venue: Talavera’s home ground
- Real Madrid Goals:
- 2 goals by Kylian Mbappe
- 1 own goal by Manuel Farrando
- Talavera Goals:
- 1 goal by Nahuel Arroyo
- 1 goal by Gonzalo di Renzo
The match witnessed Real Madrid dominate early on, but it wasn’t until the 42nd minute that they broke the deadlock. A penalty awarded after a handball by Talavera’s Marcos Moreno allowed Mbappe to score. Just four minutes later, he assisted in an own goal by Farrando, doubling Real’s advantage.
Talavera’s Comeback Attempts
Talavera managed to score in the 80th minute through Arroyo, sparking hopes of a comeback. However, those hopes were quickly dashed when another close-range shot by Mbappe resulted in a deflection that led to a third goal for Real. Despite a stoppage-time goal from Gonzalo di Renzo, Talavera could not level the score.
Recent Performance Trends
This victory marks Real Madrid’s third win in their last five games, suggesting a turnaround in form under coach Xabi Alonso. Following a difficult stretch with only one win in five matches, the team now occupies second place in La Liga, trailing only Barcelona.
As they prepare to face Sevilla, Real Madrid continues to navigate their competition in both the Copa del Rey and La Liga. They currently sit seventh in the Champions League ahead of the final two matches of the league phase in January.
