Kylian Mbappe on Sunday answered his critics in style as he netted his first La Liga goals to give Real Madrid a 2-0 win over Real Betis Balompie at the Santiago Bernabeu to send them second in the table.
Since scoring in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta BC, new signing Mbappe had failed to find the back of the net in Madrid’s opening three games in La Liga, prompting criticism in the Spanish media.
Mbappe was made to wait for his goals as he squandered a series of chances, finally finding the back of the net in the 67th minute, sweeping the ball past the Betis goalkeeper with his left foot after a well-timed backheel from Fede Valverde.
Photo: AFP
Eight minutes later the France captain added a second from the penalty spot and was cheered off the pitch when he was replaced by Luka Modric in the 84th minute.
“It’s a great moment,” Mbappe told Spanish television. “I was really hoping to score at the Bernabeu, in this mythical stadium, the best in the world, but the most important thing was to win. After the match against Las Palmas, we knew we had to win and that’s what we did today, in a difficult match, but we’re Real, and in the end we win, and with style.”
The smile on Mbappe’s face was in contrast to the concern that had been shown since scoring his first goal and winning his first trophy in Warsaw on Aug. 14.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday had hit back at the criticism, insisting that his star recruit was settling in well and he reasserted at the news conference after the match that “we never put Mbappe under pressure to score goals.”
“He was very effective in the box, he had many opportunities. I think it is important for him to score, but we appreciate more the work for the team,” said Ancelotti, who confirmed that Vinicius Junior let the French striker take the penalty.
Ancelotti also spread his praise across the entire team which has taken a while to gel this season.
“Anxiety, frustration, we don’t have them,” he said. “We have desire, motivation to try to do better. Today we did better. I think we deserved to win. It was a good game, much more supportive among all, and we arrive at the [international] break feeling good.”
Madrid’s win takes them second in the table with eight points, four behind early leaders Barcelona,Girona are fifth after picking up their second win of the season in Seville.
Ivan Martin put Girona ahead in the 41st minute with Abel Ruiz wrapping up a 2-0 win over Sevilla with a penalty in the 73rd minute.
Goals from Carlos Vicente and Luka Romero gave Deportivo Alaves a 2-0 win over UD Las Palmas, while CA Osasuna are in seventh after an exciting 3-2 win at home against RC Celta de Vigo.
Ante Budimir teed up Flavien Boyomo to put the home side ahead after 21 minutes, but the lead was short-lived as Borja Iglesias leveled for Celta.
A Carlos Dominguez own-goal just before halftime put Osasuna back in front, with Abel Bretones adding a third just after the hour.
Celta were reduced to 10 men when Alfonso Gonzalez was sent off four minutes from time, but an own-goal from Moi Gomez was small consolation in the final minute.
Getafe were held 0-0 at home by Real Sociedad.
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