The Frenchman led Carlo Ancelotti's attack with a first-half brace as they strolled to an easy win at Santiago Bernabeu
Kylian Mbappe scored twice - and could have had four - as the Real Madrid attack hummed around him in Los Blancos 4-1 win over Las Palmas on Sunday that puts them top of La Liga. The Frenchman turned in a dominant performance to quell any fears regarding Vinicius Jr's absence through suspension, and showed that things might just work out at Santiago Bernabeu for him after all.
Madrid started awfully and were behind after just 25 seconds as Las Palmas constructed a slick attack right from the kick-off, one that ended with a tidy finish from Fabio Silva - marking the earliest goal Madrid have conceded since 2011.
From there, though, they woke up. Mbappe bagged the equaliser from the penalty spot after Rodrygo was tripped in the box, and Brahim Diaz put the hosts ahead, turning into an empty net from a Lucas Vazquez cut-back. Mbappe then put the game beyond doubt after 36 minutes with an arrowed finish into the top corner, and he thought he had a hat-trick shortly before half-time, only for his effort to be ruled out for a narrow offside in the build up.
The second half only brought more action, as Rodrygo scored on 57 minutes, completing a carefully crafted move, and Madrid had two further goals disallowed, while shoddy finishing from first Jude Bellingham and then Brahim let Las Palmas off the hook.
Goalkeeper & Defence
Thibaut Courtois (6/10):
Couldn't do anything about the opener and spent most of the game watching thereafter.
Lucas Vazquez (6/10):
Scampered up and down the right. Grabbed himself an assist - but also lost track of his man on the Las Palmas opener.
Raul Asencio (7/10):
Another fine showing from the youngster. Played a few lovely long passes.
Antonio Rudiger (7/10):
Solid at the back. Grabbed himself a well-earned rest in the final minutes.
Fran Garcia (7/10):
Another excellent shift on the left. His pace is valuable on the flank, and he is pushing Mendy for the starting spot at the moment.
Midfield
Dani Ceballos (8/10):
His best performance of the season. Sat in midfield, controlled the tempo. Toni Kroos-lite.
Federico Valverde (7/10):
Denied of an unreal goal by VAR. Otherwise solid without being spectacular.
Jude Bellingham (7/10):
Dominant until in front of goal, where he seemed intent on not hitting the target.
Brahim Diaz (8/10):
Clever in tight spaces, found all of the neat angles, deserved his goal.
Attack
Kylian Mbappe (9/10):
Up for it from the first minute. Took his penalty well, scored a ridiculous second, and unfortunate not to have a third. Not bad at football, on his day.
Rodrygo (8/10):
An interesting showing in a roaming role, full of craft and energy. Goal and an assist, to boot.
Subs & Manager
David Alaba (7/10):
A welcome return to the pitch. 15 solid minutes.
Arda Guler (7/10):
Impactful in a brief cameo. He's a real talent.
Endrick (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Chema Andres (N/A):
A solid debut.
Lorenzo Aguado (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Carlo Ancelotti (8/10):
Must have thought he had walked into his worst nightmare when Madrid conceded inside a minute, but they turned things on. Excellent value for the win, in the end.