Mbappé Equals Ronaldo’s Calendar-Year Goal Record as Real Madrid Overcome Sevilla

Kylian Mbappé equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-standing Real Madrid record for goals scored in a single calendar year as Los Blancos secured a 2-0 La Liga victory over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham opened the scoring with a first-half header before Mbappé sealed the points late on from the penalty spot, bringing his total for the year to 59 goals — the same figure Ronaldo recorded in 2013. The result moved second-placed Madrid to within one point of league leaders Barcelona ahead of the Catalans’ trip to Villarreal.

“To do what Cristiano did — my idol, the greatest player in Real Madrid’s history and one of the greatest in football — is a huge honour,” Mbappé said after the match. “It means a lot to me.”

Madrid Grind Out Important Win

The victory was Madrid’s third in succession in all competitions, following a difficult run that had yielded only two wins from their previous eight matches. While the performance was far from fluent, the result offered some respite for head coach Xabi Alonso heading into the winter break.

“We now have time to analyse where we are,” Alonso said. “We have to be self-critical. We got the three points, but we know we can do better. The aim is to start the new year at a higher level.”

Sevilla began brightly, with Alexis Sánchez heavily involved in the early stages, while goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos was called into action at the other end to deny Fran García. As the match settled, Madrid gradually asserted control.

Bellingham broke the deadlock when he met Rodrygo’s whipped free-kick with a well-timed header, giving the hosts a deserved lead. Rodrygo was later booked for simulation before the interval, while Sánchez came close to levelling with an acrobatic effort that landed on the roof of Thibaut Courtois’ net.

Sevilla head coach Matías Almeyda was dismissed at half-time for dissent, yet his side continued to search for an equaliser. Courtois produced two fine saves early in the second half to keep out Isaac Romero, as Mbappé increased the pressure at the other end.

Red Card and Late Penalty Decide It

Mbappé struck the crossbar with a header and forced Vlachodimos into further saves as Madrid looked to put the contest beyond doubt. Sevilla’s task became more difficult when Marcão was sent off for a second yellow card after fouling Bellingham just past the hour mark.

Madrid nearly doubled their advantage when Rodrygo rattled the crossbar following Mbappé’s clever build-up play. The decisive moment eventually arrived when Juanlu brought down Rodrygo inside the area, allowing Mbappé to step up and convert confidently, sending Vlachodimos the wrong way.

The French forward marked the milestone with Ronaldo’s trademark celebration, later explaining the gesture. “I wanted to acknowledge him because he’s always been kind to me,” Mbappé said. “He was my idol growing up and now we have a very good relationship.”

Madrid were briefly awarded — and then denied — further penalties following VAR reviews, while Mbappé narrowly missed the chance to surpass Ronaldo’s record with a late free-kick that flew just over the bar.

Focus Turns to Improvement

Goalkeeper Courtois praised Mbappé’s achievement but stressed the need for collective improvement. “Scoring 59 goals in a year is not easy,” he said. “He has incredible quality. But if we want trophies next year, the whole team has to raise its level.”

Elsewhere in La Liga, Celta Vigo moved up to seventh despite a goalless draw at Real Oviedo, Levante held Real Sociedad to a 1-1 draw, and Osasuna climbed to 12th with a convincing 3-0 win over Alavés.