Madrid, Spain — Kylian Mbappé, Real Madrid’s marquee signing, continues to search for his first La Liga goal as the defending champions settled for a 1-1 draw against Las Palmas on Thursday.
The French superstar, who lit up the UEFA Super Cup with a goal against Atalanta earlier this month, has yet to find the back of the net in domestic league play. Mbappé’s goal drought is becoming a talking point among fans and pundits alike, raising questions about his integration into the team’s dynamics.
Las Palmas stunned the home crowd early, taking the lead just five minutes into the game. Alberto Moleiro weaved past defenders and slotted the ball home from inside the area, putting pressure on Carlo Ancelotti’s men to respond.
Real Madrid struggled to find their rhythm, echoing their 1-1 draw in the season opener against Mallorca. Despite a convincing 3-0 victory over Real Valladolid in the previous round, consistency seems to elude the reigning champions.
It was Vinícius Júnior who stepped up to level the score. The Brazilian forward converted a penalty in the 69th minute after a handball inside the box, marking his first league goal of the season.
"It’s been difficult for us to be as solid as we were last season," admitted coach Carlo Ancelotti post-match. "We need to find a solution quickly, and I think we are going to find it. These first three matches showed me a lot of things that have not been working well."
Young Brazilian talent Endrick made a late appearance, coming off the bench in the 86th minute to replace Vinícius. Endrick, who scored on his debut against Valladolid, is seen as a rising star in the squad.
Las Palmas, still in search of their first win of the season after a draw against Sevilla and a loss at Leganes, showcased resilience that belied their early standings.
In other La Liga action on Thursday, Girona secured their first win with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Osasuna at home. Bryan Gil opened the scoring in the first half, with Viktor Tsygankov, Abel Ruiz, and Cristhian Stuani adding to the tally in the second half. Girona, last season’s surprise third-place finishers, seem to be regaining their form after an initial draw and loss.
As La Liga heats up, Real Madrid will be eager to find their footing and unleash Mbappé’s full potential in the matches to come.
Reference(s):
Mbappe scoreless again in Real Madrid's 1-1 draw with Las Palmas
cgtn.com
