Mbappe Helps Real Maintain Perfect Start in La Liga
Kylian Mbappe sealed a 2-0 win over Espanyol in the fifth round, keeping Real Madrid top of La Liga with 15 points.
The match at the Bernabeu on September 19 was decided by long-range strikes. In the 47th minute, Vinicius burst down the right wing before cutting the ball back to Mbappe at the edge of the box. After two quick touches, the French forward unleashed a shot from over 20 meters that rocketed into the near corner, leaving goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic rooted to the spot.
In 2025, Mbappe has scored 37 goals, including six from outside the box — both the highest numbers among players across Europe’s top five leagues. The 2018 World Cup winner now has six goals in six matches in all competitions this season, four in La Liga and two in the Champions League.
Earlier, Real opened the scoring with another moment of brilliance in the 22nd minute. Eder Militao pushed forward past the center circle, took two touches, and blasted a right-footed strike from 30 meters into the far corner. Even at full stretch, Dmitrovic couldn’t get a hand to it.
Militao’s goal came after a sequence of 26 passes — a record for a defender’s goal in La Liga since the 2005-2006 season. It also showed the Brazilian center-back is regaining his sharpness and best form after suffering two ACL injuries in 2023 and 2024.
Real could have won by a bigger margin if they had taken their chances. In the 66th minute, Mbappe was denied twice in quick succession from close range by Dmitrovic. Vinicius also hit the woodwork once and curled a shot narrowly wide in the second half.
There was more good news for Real as Jude Bellingham made his comeback, replacing Mbappe in the 89th minute. The England midfielder underwent shoulder surgery after the FIFA World Cup in July and was initially expected to return only in October, but recovered quicker than expected.
Xabi Alonso became the 11th coach to win his first five La Liga matches, and the third Real Madrid manager to do so, after Jose Quirante in 1928-1929 and Vanderlei Luxemburgo in 2004-2005.
Real remain top of La Liga with 15 points, five clear of Barcelona, who face Getafe today (September 21) at the Johan Cruyff Stadium. In round six on September 23, Los Blancos will visit Levante.