Kylian Mbappé ends scoring drought in Spanish league and scores 2 in Real Madrid’s win over Betis

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This article was published 01/09/2024 (765 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MADRID (AP) — With two goals in less than 10 minutes, Kylian Mbappé ended his scoring drought in the Spanish league, leading Real Madrid to a 2-0 win over Real Betis on Sunday.

Madrid’s biggest signing in years, Mbappé had scored once in the team’s win over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup final last month, but he had yet to find the net in his previous three Spanish league matches.

“I was looking forward to scoring in this legendary stadium, the best in the world,” Mbappé said. “But the most important thing was the victory.”

He opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu with a low left-footed shot from inside the area after a neat backheel pass by Federico Valverde in the 67th minute. Mbappe then added to the lead by converting a 75th-minute penalty kick after a foul on Vinicius Junior.

Madrid had drawn two of its first three games, with its lone victory coming against Valladolid two rounds ago, also at the Bernabeu. This win moved the defending champion four points behind leader Barcelona, the only team to win all four matches to start the season.

“After the game against Las Palmas we knew that we had to win and we did it,” Mbappé said. “It was a tough match, but we are Real Madrid and in the end we won it.”

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said there was never any pressure on Mbappé to end his drought in the league.

“For him it was important to score, but we evaluate the work of the team as a whole, which was better than in the previous match. It was a step forward.”

The result kept Betis winless after three matches. Manuel Pellegrini’s team had drawn its first two games.

Vitor Roque, a young Brazilian forward, was a second-half substitute for the Seville club where he is playing on loan from Madrid rival Barcelona.

Madrid has not conceded in its last five league games at Bernabeu, going back to last season, a first for the club in the competition since 1996.

Madrid is unbeaten in 26 home games in the league, with 22 wins and four draws, the best run under Ancelotti.

The five points from three matches until now had meant Madrid’s worst start in the league since 2019-20, when it won the competition.

Sevilla continues to struggle

Sevilla lost 2-0 at home to Girona to remain winless after four matches.

Iván Martin and Abel Ruiz scored a goal in each half for Girona, which has now won two in a row. It will play the Catalan derby against Barcelona in the next round.

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Sevilla had drawn two of its first three matches, both on the road, with a loss to Villarreal at home.

Other results

Getafe, another team without a victory, drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad at home, while Las Palmas — also winless — lost 2-0 at Alaves. Osasuna won 3-2 against Celta Vigo, which had opened with two straight wins but now has lost two in a row.

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AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer