Kylian Mbappe matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record for goals in a calendar year as Real Madrid defeated Sevilla 2-0 in La Liga on Saturday, with Jude Bellingham opening the scoring.
Bellingham headed Madrid ahead in the first half from a Rodrygo Goes free-kick, before Mbappe converted a late penalty to level Ronaldo’s 2013 tally of 59 goals.
The victory moved Los Blancos to within a point of league leaders Barcelona, who face Villarreal on Sunday, and marked Madrid’s third consecutive win across all competitions after a run of just two wins in eight games, easing some pressure on coach Xabi Alonso.
Sevilla, fresh from a 4-1 triumph over champions Barcelona in October, started brightly, with veteran forward Alexis Sanchez heavily involved. Odysseas Vlachodimos made a strong save to deny Fran Garcia, but Madrid gradually gained control.
Bellingham’s header from Rodrygo’s delivery put the hosts in front, while Rodrygo was booked for simulation after falling in the box under minimal pressure. Before the break, Sanchez struck the crossbar with an acrobatic effort, and Sevilla coach Matias Almeyda was sent off for dissent at halftime.
Read Also: Isak scores but gets injured as Liverpool defeat nine-man Tottenham
In the second half, Courtois twice denied Isaac Romero as Mbappe pressed to equal Ronaldo’s record, hitting the crossbar and forcing further saves from Vlachodimos, even on his birthday. Sevilla’s Marcao was sent off after a second yellow card for fouling Bellingham, further weakening the visitors.
Madrid came close to a second when Mbappe set up Rodrygo, whose effort was tipped onto the crossbar by Vlachodimos. Eventually, Mbappe converted a penalty after Juanlu fouled Rodrygo, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to register his 59th goal of the year.
Subsequent penalty appeals by Madrid, including one involving Bellingham and another involving Rodrygo, were overturned by VAR. Mbappe also narrowly missed a free-kick late in the game as he continues his pursuit to surpass Ronaldo’s record in 2026.
The win underscores Real Madrid’s renewed momentum, with Bellingham and Mbappe spearheading a side eager to challenge Barcelona in the title race.
