Actual Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé celebrates after scoring a goal against Las Palmas during a Spanish League soccer match at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium in Madrid, Spain, Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue)
MADRID – With Kylian Mbappé putting on a show again, Actual Madrid returned to the top of the Spanish league.
Mbappé continued his scoring streak with a brace as Madrid thrashed 10-man Las Palmas 4-1 on Sunday, prompting a standing ovation at the Santiago Bernabéu stadium for the French star who has struggled at times in his first season with the Spanish power.
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“It is always a dream to receive a standing ovation in this stadium,” Mbappé said. “I am very happy, I have adapted to the team and I can play how I want. Everyone enjoys the team game. All the players of Actual Madrid are leaders because it is the best team in the world. We have to be united because we have to win many things. In Actual Madrid you always have to win.”
READ: Mbappé was jealous of Messi during his time at PSG, says Neymar
Mbappé has four goals in his last four games with Madrid.
Brahim Díaz and Rodrygo also scored as Madrid beat Atlético Madrid to begin the second half of the league season.
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Madrid is two points ahead of city rival Atlético, who saw their record 15-game winning streak end with a 1-0 loss to Leganés on Saturday. Madrid opened a seven-point lead over third-placed Barcelona, who drew 1-1 at Getafe on Saturday.
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“It was an important game for us,” Mbappé said. “We knew what happened yesterday with Atlético’s defeat and Barcelona’s draw and we wanted to win. We started badly because we conceded an early goal, but the team’s reaction was spectacular. We look for spaces and play fast and with quality.”
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It was Madrid’s second consecutive victory after an embarrassing 5-2 loss to Barcelona in the Spanish Super Cup final in Saudi Arabia on January 12.
After Rodrygo was fouled, Mbappé converted a penalty kick in the 18th minute on Sunday after the visitors had taken the lead through Fábio Silva a minute into the match at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.
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Díaz put Madrid ahead in the 33rd and Mbappé added his second goal in the 36th after an assist from Rodrygo.
Rodrygo scored his third goal in three games in the 57th.
READ: Mbappé scores again after hitting ‘rock bottom’ with Madrid
Mbappé thought he had scored a hat trick near the end of the first half, but his goal was disallowed for offside. He also hit the post in stoppage time of the first half.
Jude Bellingham had a goal disallowed after video review in the second half.
“Mbappé’s great form is helping us a lot,” said Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. “Our work today was very good. We managed to achieve the right balance to face the good times and the difficult ones.”
Las Palmas, ranked 14th and suffering a three-match losing streak in all competitions, had Benito Ramírez sent off for a high shot in the 64th. He initially received a yellow card, but video review determined he deserved a yellow card. red card.
Defender David Alaba returned to action after a long layoff due to a knee injury in the 77th minute. He had not played since December 2023.
Madrid was left without striker Vinícius Júnior due to suspension.
President Perez
As the only candidate, Florentino Pérez was re-elected president of Madrid on Sunday, securing management of the club until 2029.
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Other results
Earlier on Sunday, fourth-place Athletic Bilbao won 2-1 at 13th-place Celta Vigo, while ninth-place Rayo Vallecano drew 1-1 at Osasuna, which occupies tenth place. Valencia moved out of last place by beating Actual Sociedad 1-0 at home, earning its first league win since November.
