Kylian Mbappe silenced his critics with a spectacular performance, scoring his inaugural La Liga goals to secure a 2-0 victory for Real Madrid over Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, propelling them to second place in the standings.
Since his goal in the Uefa Super Cup against Atalanta, Mbappe had struggled to score in his first three La Liga matches for Madrid, leading to criticism in the Spanish media. He had to be patient, missing several opportunities before finally breaking through in the 67th minute, skillfully placing the ball past the Betis goalkeeper with his left foot following a precise back-heel from Fede Valverde. The French forward then doubled his tally from the penalty spot in the 75th minute, receiving a standing ovation when substituted by Luka Modric in the 84th minute.
"It's a fantastic moment," Mbappe expressed to Spanish television post-match. "I was eager to score at the Bernabeu, this legendary stadium, the finest in the world. But the paramount objective was to secure the win." He continued, "After the match against Las Palmas, we understood the necessity to win. And that's precisely what we accomplished today, in a challenging encounter. But we are Real, and ultimately, we triumph, and with flair."
Mbappe's joy stood in stark contrast to the concerns that had arisen since his initial goal and trophy win in Warsaw on August 14. "I've been elated since my arrival here," Mbappe remarked. "The fans have shown me immense warmth, even during my scoring drought, which spanned three games. To some, that might seem insignificant, but to me, it was significant!" He added, "Throughout this journey, the club, my teammates, the supporters... they've consistently stood by me, bolstering my confidence to score for this esteemed club."
On the eve of the match, coach Carlo Ancelotti defended his star player against the critics, asserting that Mbappe was acclimatizing well. He reiterated post-match, "We never pressured Mbappe to score." Ancelotti further commented, "He was highly effective in the penalty area, creating numerous chances. I believe it's crucial for him to score, but we value his team contributions even more," noting that Vinicius allowed Mbappe to take the penalty. Ancelotti also commended the entire team, acknowledging their gradual improvement this season.
"Anxiety and frustration are absent," Ancelotti stated. "We possess the desire and motivation to enhance our performance. Today, we performed better. I believe we merited the victory. It was a commendable game, more cohesive, and we head into the international break with a positive outlook."
Madrid's victory places them second in the league with eight points, trailing leaders Barcelona by four points, who thrashed Real Valladolid 7-0 on Saturday under new coach Hansi Flick. Atletico Madrid and Villarreal follow closely in third and fourth positions, both with eight points as well. Girona secured fifth place with their second win of the season in Seville, while Alaves and Osasuna round out the top seven with wins over Las Palmas and Celta Vigo, respectively.
