Kylian Mbappe ends La Liga scoring drought for Real to beat Betis
With two goals in less than 10 minutes, Kylian Mbappe ended his scoring drought in La Liga, leading Real Madrid to a 2-0 win over Real Betis on Sunday.
Madrid's biggest signing in years, Mbappe had only scored once in the team's win over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup final last month, but he had yet to find the net in his previous three Spanish league games.
"I was looking forward to scoring in this legendary stadium, the best in the world," Mbappe said. "But the most important thing was the victory."
He opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium with a low left-footed shot from inside the area after a neat backheel pass by Federico Valverde in the 67th minute. Mbappe then added to the lead by converting a 75th-minute penalty kick after a foul on Vinicius Junior.
Madrid had drawn two of their first three games, with their lone victory coming against Valladolid two rounds ago, also at the Bernabeu. This win moved the defending champions four points behind leaders Barcelona, the only team to win all four games to start the season.
"After the game against Las Palmas we knew that we had to win and we did it," Mbappe said. "It was a tough match, but we are Real Madrid and in the end we won it."
Madrid's coach Carlo Ancelotti said there was never any pressure on Mbappe to end his drought in the league.
"For him it was important to score, but we evaluate the work of the team as a whole, which was better than in the previous match. It was a step forward." Ancelotti said.
The result kept Betis winless after three games. Manuel Pellegrini's team had drawn its first two games.
Vitor Roque, a young Brazilian forward, was a second-half substitute for the Seville club where he is playing on loan from Madrid rival Barcelona.
Madrid have not conceded in their last five league games at Bernabeu, going back to last season, a first for the club in the competition since 1996. They are also unbeaten in 26 home games in the league, with 22 wins and four draws, the best run under Ancelotti.