Kylian Mbappe delivered a masterclass at the Santiago Bernabeu, scoring twice in Real Madrid’s 4-1 comeback victory over Las Palmas on Sunday. The French superstar led Carlo Ancelotti’s side to the top of La Liga, stepping up brilliantly in Vinicius Jr.’s absence and quelling any doubts about his fit at Madrid.
Match Recap
Real Madrid’s afternoon started disastrously, with Fabio Silva putting Las Palmas ahead after just 25 seconds—the fastest goal Los Blancos have conceded since 2011. However, Madrid responded emphatically, with Mbappe’s brace and goals from Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo sealing a convincing victory.
Mbappe equalized from the penalty spot after Rodrygo was fouled in the box. Brahim Diaz then tapped in from a Lucas Vazquez assist to put Madrid ahead. Mbappe added his second with a spectacular finish into the top corner, though he was denied a hat-trick by a narrow offside call. Rodrygo completed the scoring in the second half, while Madrid’s dominance could have yielded even more goals but for missed chances and disallowed efforts.
Player Ratings
Goalkeeper & Defense
- Thibaut Courtois (6/10):
Had no chance to stop Las Palmas’ early goal and spent most of the game untested. - Lucas Vazquez (6/10):
Provided an assist but was at fault for losing his man during the opener. Contributed effectively in attack. - Raul Asencio (7/10):
The youngster impressed again, showing composure and precision with long passes. - Antonio Rudiger (7/10):
A solid performance at the back, capped off with some well-earned rest late in the game. - Fran Garcia (7/10):
His pace and energy down the left flank were crucial. Continues to challenge Ferland Mendy for the starting role.
Midfield
- Federico Valverde (7/10):
A box-to-box dynamo as usual, keeping Madrid’s tempo high. - Aurelien Tchouameni (7/10):
Controlled the midfield with calmness and precision, breaking up play effectively. - Jude Bellingham (6/10):
Worked hard but missed a golden opportunity to score in the second half.
Attack
- Kylian Mbappe (9/10):
The star of the show. His penalty was clinical, his second goal was sublime, and he was unlucky not to claim a hat-trick. Proved why he’s one of the best in the world. - Rodrygo (8/10):
Excelled in a roaming role, combining creativity with end product. A goal and an assist underlined his influence. - Brahim Diaz (7/10):
Took his goal well and worked tirelessly, though he squandered a chance to add to his tally.
Substitutes & Manager
- David Alaba (7/10):
Returned to action with a composed 15-minute cameo. - Arda Guler (7/10):
Showed glimpses of his immense talent in a brief appearance. - Endrick (N/A):
Came on too late to make an impact. - Chema Andres (N/A):
A solid debut with limited involvement. - Lorenzo Aguado (N/A):
Had no time to influence proceedings. - Carlo Ancelotti (8/10):
Recovered from a nightmare start to guide his team to a dominant win. His tactical adjustments and trust in Mbappe paid off handsomely.
Conclusion
Real Madrid’s comeback win was a statement performance, with Mbappe leading the charge. Despite conceding an early goal, Los Blancos showed resilience and quality to claim all three points. With this victory, they move to the top of La Liga, setting the stage for an intense title race.
Did You Know?
Mbappe has now scored six goals in his last four games, proving his growing influence in Real Madrid’s attack.
