Key Highlights
- Kylian Mbappe equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for goals by a Real Madrid player in a calendar year during Saturday’s 2-0 La Liga win against Sevilla.
- Mbappe scored his 59th goal of 2025 with an 86th minute penalty at the Bernabeu, marking the occasion by replicating Ronaldo’s ‘siu’ celebration.
- The victory moves Real Madrid within one point of La Liga leaders Barcelona.
- Alonso repeats Ancelotti’s mistakes in starting all of the ‘Fantastic Four’ for the second successive game in La Liga.
Real Madrid’s Goal Scoring Milestone: Mbappe Matches Ronaldo’s 59 Goals in a Year
Saturday’s 2-0 win over Sevilla at the Bernabeu saw Kylian Mbappe achieve an impressive feat, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for goals by a Real Madrid player in a calendar year. This significant milestone occurred when Mbappe, who turned 27 on Saturday, scored his 59th goal of 2025 with an 86th-minute penalty, celebrating the occasion by mimicking Ronaldo’s ‘siu’ celebration.
The victory was crucial for Real Madrid as they moved within one point of La Liga leaders Barcelona, who will play Villarreal on Sunday. This achievement comes just a few days after Mbappe and his team secured a 2-1 win over Alaves, marking the first time Madrid have recorded consecutive wins in the league since October and November.
Alonso’s Tactical Decisions and Team Performance
The match also highlighted Real Madrid’s ongoing tactical challenges under head coach Xabi Alonso. Just as his predecessor Carlo Ancelotti had done on numerous occasions last season, Alonso opted to start all of the ‘Fantastic Four’ in attack for the second successive game in La Liga. However, this strategy led to a lack of balance and individual performances by key players such as Dean Huijsen and Vinicius Junior left much to be desired.
The Bernabeu audience was visibly displeased with several booing incidents directed at both players during the match.
Despite Madrid being reduced to 10 players when Sevilla’s Marcao was sent off in the 68th minute, Alonso’s decision-making faced criticism as the team struggled to maintain possession and were often forced back into their own area.
Madrid secured the victory through a moment of individual brilliance from Jude Bellingham followed by Mbappe’s record-equalling penalty late on. This win is significant for Madrid’s morale, especially considering the disappointing run of results that have put Alonso’s position under scrutiny.
Future Implications and Analysis
Mbappe’s goal record in 2025 is impressive, particularly given his move to Real Madrid last year. That time last year saw Mbappe struggling with expectations from fans, who had high hopes for the France star’s performance at the Bernabeu. His 44 goals in his debut season still set a high standard, and the recent struggles in December 2024 only added pressure.
However, since February, when he scored three crucial goals against Manchester City in the Champions League play-offs, Mbappe has found his form again.
His 59 goals have come from just 58 games, a remarkable achievement considering the context of Madrid’s season. The victory over Sevilla and the draw level with Ronaldo’s record serve as a testament to Mbappe’s importance for Real Madrid despite the club’s overall struggles.
Alonso’s repeated decisions to start all attacking stars indicate a tactical strategy that may need re-evaluation, especially given the team’s difficulties in maintaining balance and depth. The upcoming match against Real Betis on January 4 will be crucial in assessing whether Alonso can make necessary adjustments or if his position remains under threat.
With these points in mind, it is clear that Mbappe’s achievement not only highlights his individual talent but also raises questions about the overall team dynamics and coaching decisions at Madrid. As the club continues its journey to recovery, both players and fans will be watching closely to see how Alonso navigates this critical period.
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By Guillermo Rai and more
