Mbappe goal helps hosts move above Barcelona in LaLiga


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.

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.

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).



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