Kylian Mbappe scored his fourth goal in four starts with a long-range strike to put Real Madrid on their way to a 4-2 win at home to Sevilla in LaLiga on Sunday.
Madrid top scorer Mbappe, who also scored the opener in the 3-0 win over Pachuca in the Intercontinental Cup in Qatar on Wednesday, took aim in space from a central position outside the penalty area after 10 minutes, lashing a fierce strike past goalkeeper Alvaro Fernandez.
The France striker missed his side’s 3-3 draw at Rayo Vallecano with a thigh injury eight days earlier but returned to score a memorable 13th goal in 23 appearances in all competitions in 2024/25.
What a goal by Kylian Mbappé 🤯
The Frenchman strikes from range to hand Real Madrid the lead against Sevilla 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/1l9CZwRPLz
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 22, 2024
Madrid vs Sevilla
Summer signing Mbappe could have had a second seven minutes later, sending a shot over the crossbar from Lucas Vasquez’s cross.
Federico Valverde made amends for that miss with a sensational finish in the 20th minute, collecting possession in a similar position to Mbappe’s goal and firing in following a short corner routine.
Rodrygo added a comparatively routine third for Madrid 11 minutes before the break, completing a slick team move involving Jude Bellingham, Vasquez and Brahim Diaz.
Sevilla took the gloss off that goal with one of their own a minute later when Isaac Romero headed in from Juanlu Sanchez’s delivery, but Diaz struck a fourth for Madrid from Mbappe’s pass eight minutes after half-time.
Dodi Lukebakio replied for Sevilla five minutes from time, beating Thibaut Courtois with a shot at the Madrid goalkeeper’s near post five minutes from time.
Special strike by Fede Valverde 😱
The Uruguayan hammers home from range to double Real Madrid’s advantage 💥 pic.twitter.com/G606b7lKSy
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 22, 2024
LaLiga table: Atletico, Real Madrid, Barcelona
Madrid’s third successive home win since their 4-0 defeat to Barcelona on October 26 sent them two points above Hansi Flick’s team.
They are a point behind leaders Atletico Madrid, who secured a 2-1 comeback win at Barca on Saturday through Alexander Sorloth’s 96th-minute winner.
Their opponents suffered a third successive league away defeat, although they had been 3-1 ahead at Atleti with 29 minutes remaining before losing 4-3 on December 8.
Madrid are next in action away to second-bottom Valencia on January 3 (8pm GMT), while Atleti next play a league game at home to Osasuna on January 12 (3.15pm).
Barca have lost four and drawn two of their last seven LaLiga fixtures. They next play in the league with a visit to Getafe on January 18 (8pm).
