LA LIGA: Unstoppable Kylian Mbappe Strikes Again As Real Madrid Defeat Espanyol
Kylian Mbappe was on target again as Real Madrid cruised past Espanyol 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, stretching their perfect start under new boss Xabi Alonso.
Eder Militao opened the scoring in the first half with a thunderbolt from distance, before Mbappe sealed the win early in the second half with a fierce strike after good work from Vinicius Junior.
The win keeps Madrid five points clear at the top of La Liga, piling pressure on Barcelona who face Getafe on Sunday.
Espanyol came into the clash in third place and unbeaten at the Bernabeu since 1996, but were handed a brutal reality check. Madrid dominated from start to finish, with Vinicius rattling the post and Mbappe denied twice by goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic before finally finding the net.
Alonso also welcomed back Vinicius to the starting XI and handed minutes to Jude Bellingham and Eduardo Camavinga — both making their first appearances since summer injuries, as Madrid comfortably closed out the game.
Mbappe’s strike was his fifth in five league matches this season, adding to the two penalties he bagged in midweek’s Champions League win over Marseille.
Earlier in the day, Levante hammered Girona 4-0 away, leaving last season’s surprise package bottom of the table without a win.
