Kylian Mbappe marked a sensational night as he netted his first hat-trick for Real Madrid, leading the La Liga champions to a commanding 3-0 victory over bottom-club Real Valladolid on Saturday. The win extends Madrid's lead at the top of the standings, reaffirming their dominance in the league.
The French forward opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a brilliant display of teamwork. Mbappe played a slick one-two with Jude Bellingham, bursting past the Valladolid defense to latch onto the Englishman's precise pass. Beating the offside trap, he fired the ball past goalkeeper Karl Hein, igniting celebrations among the Madrid faithful.
Mbappe doubled the lead in the 56th minute during a swift counter-attack. Receiving a pass from Rodrygo on the left flank, he showcased his trademark pace and skill, curling a low strike just inside the far post.
The hat-trick was completed in added time when Mbappe confidently converted a penalty after Mario Martin was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Bellingham inside the box. His composed finish from the spot sealed a memorable night for both him and the team.
Speaking to Real Madrid TV after the match, Mbappe expressed his delight: \"Happy for the hat-trick but more for the win, I say it every week but it was important to win today after Atletico's draw. We played well, scored the first goal in a collective action. In the second half, we could have played better, but we scored the second, managed well and scored the third.\"
Real Madrid now sit atop the La Liga standings with 49 points, four ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid, who drew 1-1 against Villarreal earlier on Saturday. Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao follow, level on 39 points, both with a game in hand.
Despite controlling the match with nearly 70 percent possession, Carlo Ancelotti's side struggled to create clear scoring opportunities, finishing with only four shots on target. Missing Vinicius Jr due to suspension after his red card against Valencia, Real Madrid relied heavily on Mbappe's prowess to secure the win on a cold night in the Spanish capital.
After a slow start since his arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, the former Paris Saint-Germain player has found his groove in the last two months, scoring 15 La Liga goals and 21 overall. Following a brace he bagged last week against Las Palmas and Saturday's hat-trick, Mbappe now stands second in the La Liga scoring charts, only one goal behind Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski.
Real Madrid's victory not only strengthens their position at the top but also sends a message to their rivals as the season progresses. With Mbappe hitting his stride, the team looks poised to continue their pursuit of domestic and European glory.
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Kylian Mbappe's hat-trick gives Real Madrid easy win at Valladolid
cgtn.com
