Mbappé Equals Ronaldo With 59th Goal for Real Madrid

The turning point was about to elude the French striker until he converted a penalty kick with four minutes left to beat 10-man Sevilla 2-0 in Madrid’s final game of the year.

On his 27th birthday, Mbappé matched Ronaldo’s tally from 2013. After hugging his team-mates, he celebrated the feat with a subdued version of Ronaldo’s trademark goal celebration, in which the Portuguese striker leaps forward and thrusts his arms down as he lands, before blowing a kiss for the television cameras.

The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who was transferred to Madrid in the summer of 2024, scored 29 goals for Madrid this season, with 18 of them being the league leader.

“To do what Cristiano did in my first (full) year is incredible. (He is) my idol, the best player in the history of Real Madrid,” Mbappé said.

“My congratulations are for him. I wanted to do this because he helped me to adapt here and now I can help Madrid win games with my goals. I wanted to share this with him. I have a really good relationship with him, he is my friend and I wish him and all the Madrid fans a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

Jude Bellingham scored with a header in the 38th minute and Sevilla lost defender Marcao with a second yellow card for rash tackles with 20 minutes remaining.

Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda was also sent off by the referee at half-time for protesting.

Alonso is dodging a bullet Alonso has been under pressure for several weeks due to a string of poor results and generally lackluster play from his star-studded team. Spanish sports media is full of speculation that the first-year coach may be replaced.

Now Madrid club president Florentino Pérez will have two weeks to consider the team’s future ahead of its next match against Real Betis on January 4.

Alonso could not afford to slip once again at the Santiago Bernabeu after losing both of his previous home matches. But Madrid fans still had reason to grumble as Sevilla repeatedly created scoring chances despite being reduced to 10 points.

Alexis Sánchez, who is still vigorous at the age of 37, and right-back Juanlu Sánchez were the most prominent names of the Sevilla team that opened holes in Madrid’s defense.

Madrid needed Thibaut Courtois to block four strikes from Alexis, Isaac Romero and Alfonso González in the second half. However, Sevilla could have gone ahead had they shown more finishing touches early on.

The result was still in doubt until Mbappé converted the spot kick after Juanlu fouled Rodrygo in the area.

“Today was a game we had to win, we were in a complicated situation,” Alonso said. he said. “We know we can play better and now we have the three points we will try to start the new year improving.”

Madrid sit second, one point behind Barcelona, ​​before the leaders visit third-place Villarreal on Sunday.

Draw before teams hire their coaches As Levante and Real Sociedad drew 1-1 in Valencia, both sides announced they would hire new coaches.

Sociedad hired American coach Pellegrino Matarazzo, while Luís Castro joined last-place Levante.

Budimir support for Osasuna Ante Budimir scored his first league goal in nearly two months, helping Osasuna beat Alaves 3-0 and achieve their biggest win of the season.

The Croatian forward volleyed in a cross in the 72nd minute after Alaves goalkeeper Antonio Sivera had made several saves.

Budimir scored a brace from the penalty spot after Víctor Parada and Raúl García completed the scoring in injury time.

Doves on the field Real Oviedo could not make any progress in the first match of their third coach of the season after a goalless draw at home with Celta Vigo.

Celta had the chance to break the deadlock in the match when a small flock of pigeons stayed on the field for a long time.

Guillermo Almada becomes Oviedo’s third coach since returning to the top flight last season. The team from Northern Spain is in second last place.