Early morning of September 2 (Vietnam time), Real Madrid hosted Real Betis in round 4 of La Liga 2024-2025 with certain pressure when Barcelona won 7-0 on Saturday and won all 12 points. In addition, new player Dani Olmo of the Catalan team also scored 2 goals in 2 matches.
Real Madrid have just 5 points after 3 games and Kylian Mbappe has yet to score a goal. But it seems the French striker has shaken off the burden of August to speak up as soon as September comes.
Not just 1 but 2 goals, Mbappe brought 3 points to Real Madrid, although the match at Bernabeu was not easy.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti continued his midfield changes. This time, Aurelien Tchouameni was paired with Federico Valverde in a 4-2-3-1 formation, while Dani Ceballos played behind Mbappe.
Betis arrived in the Spanish capital after confirming their place in the UEFA Conference League. The Andalusian side started the game at a high tempo, hunting for the ball in every position on the pitch and causing the home team to be somewhat confused.
The visitors had their first real chance when new signing Romain Perraud crossed and former Barcelona man Abde Ezzalzouli headed home from close range.
The home side responded through Eder Militao, who jumped high to meet a corner from Rodrygo, but was saved by Rui Silva, before Perraud continued to block the centre-back's follow-up effort when the ball rebounded.
Despite having more possession, Los Blancos still did not completely control the game. However, the combination of Vinicius Junior and Mbappe started to show more positive signs.
After a beautiful pass from the Brazilian, if Mbappe converts it into a goal, it will be a candidate for the title of best goal of the season.
Both teams kept their line-ups after the break, but just before the 60th minute, coach Manuel Pellegrini brought on Johnny Cardoso and Vitor Roque - a player on loan from Barca.
Roque made an immediate impact, forcing a save from Thibaut Courtois. On the other side, Diego Llorente made another crucial intervention to save Betis.
However, he was just a bystander in the 67th minute, when Valverde's delicate touch released Mbappe and the chance could not be missed.
A few minutes later, Vincius was fouled in the penalty area. He did not take the penalty himself like in the 1-1 draw with Las Palmas, but let Mbappe take it, allowing the 25-year-old striker to score a double, making the score 2-0.
Real Madrid may have started the season below their standards in terms of results, but will still go into the FIFA Days break in second place, albeit four points behind Barcelona.
Real Madrid 's next match is away at Real Sociedad on September 15.
