MADRID: Kylian Mbappe matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s Real Madrid record for goals in a calendar year as Los Blancos defeated Sevilla 2-0 on Saturday to stay within touching distance of La Liga leaders Barcelona.
The French forward converted a late penalty to bring his 2025 tally to 59 goals — equalling Ronaldo’s mark set in 2013 — after Jude Bellingham had put Madrid ahead with a first-half header at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The victory lifted second-placed Madrid to within one point of Barcelona, who visit Villarreal on Sunday, and extended their winning run to three matches across all competitions.
“To do what Cristiano did, my idol and the best player in Real Madrid’s history, is a great honour,” said Mbappe, who turned 27 on Saturday.
Madrid were far from convincing but gradually grew into the contest after Sevilla started brightly, with Alexis Sanchez causing early problems for the hosts. Goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos denied Fran Garcia before Madrid found their rhythm.
The breakthrough came when Rodrygo Goes delivered a dangerous free-kick that Bellingham met with a firm header. Rodrygo was later booked for diving, while Sanchez came close to equalising before the break with an acrobatic effort that landed on the roof of Thibaut Courtois’s net.
Sevilla coach Matias Almeyda was sent off at half-time for dissent, though his side continued to press for an equaliser. Courtois twice denied Isaac Romero early in the second half, while Mbappe struck the crossbar and fired narrowly wide in his pursuit of the record.
Sevilla’s task became harder when defender Marcao was dismissed for a second yellow card after fouling Bellingham midway through the half.
Madrid finally sealed the win when Juanlu brought down Rodrygo in the box. Mbappe calmly dispatched the penalty, copying Ronaldo’s trademark celebration in tribute.
“I wanted to give him a nod — he’s always been kind to me,” Mbappe said.
Further penalty appeals for Madrid were overturned after VAR reviews, and Mbappe narrowly missed from a late free-kick as he failed to move beyond Ronaldo’s tally before the year’s end.
Elsewhere, Celta Vigo drew 0-0 with Real Oviedo, Levante held Real Sociedad 1-1, and Osasuna thrashed Alaves 3-0. – AFP
