Kylian Mbappe scored a brace as Real Madrid beat Real Betis 2-0. It was the France international’s first goals in La Liga since his summer move from PSG. The 25-year-old previously scored in Real Madrid’s UEFA Super Cup win against Atalanta. The win moves Carlo Ancelotti’s team up to second in the Liga table on eight points. Barcelona are top on 12 points with both sides having played four matches.
Kylian Mbappe scored his first La Liga goals as a quick-fire double saw Real Madrid beat Real Betis 2-0 on Sunday.
Mbappe had floundered in front of goal in Madrid’s opening three league matches, but the superstar forward hit form with two goals in the space of eight second-half minutes.
Having swept home after latching onto Federico Valverde’s exquisite flick, Mbappe slotted in from the penalty spot following Rui Silva’s foul on Vinicius Junior – that penalty awarded after a VAR check overturned the original offside call.
Vinicius had been Madrid’s standout player in a rejuvenated second-half display, with the Brazil international having hit the woodwork with a deflected shot.
Betis, who looked bright before the break but could not cope with Madrid after it, ultimately offered little after Mbappe’s double, as Los Blancos closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to four points.
The visitors went close early on through Abde Ezzalzouli, who should have kept his header down. Madrid responded 10 minutes later – Eder Militao heading at Silva before poking the follow-up wide.
Mbappe sliced at a Vinicius cutback and arrowed an effort wide, though Madrid could not click into gear until the second half.
With a no-doubt stern team talk from Carlo Ancelotti ringing in their ears, Madrid set the tone when Vinicius’ deflected attempt hit the woodwork, with the offside flag sparring Mbappe’s blushes as he fired over on the rebound.
Yet Mbappe showed greater composure to end his wait for a La Liga goal in the 67th minute, calmly tucking beyond Silva after sublime play from Valverde.
Silva thought he had got lucky after bringing down Vinicius soon after, only for VAR to spot that Madrid’s attacker had stayed onside before he was fouled by the Betis goalkeeper, and Mbappe duly made no mistake from 12 yards to seal the points.
