Mbappe edges closer to Ronaldo record as Real Madrid survive Talavera scare
Kylian Mbappe moved to within touching distance of Cristiano Ronaldo’s calendar year scoring record as Real Madrid edged past third tier Talavera de la Reina with a tense 3 2 win to reach the Copa del Rey last 16.
The French forward struck twice and benefited from a Manuel Farrando own goal, with Real doing just enough to progress despite late resistance from Talavera through Nahuel Arroyo and Gonzalo Di Renzo in a charged atmosphere.
Mbappe arrived in Castilla La Mancha on 56 goals for the year across all competitions and now sits one short of Ronaldo’s club record of 59 set in 2013. With a LaLiga fixture against Sevilla still to come before the year ends, the landmark is firmly within reach.
The significance of the night went beyond cup progression. Rested regulars and a rotated lineup placed added responsibility on Mbappe, who once again delivered when Real needed control and composure in an uncomfortable away tie.
In front of 4,000 vocal home supporters, Madrid dominated possession from the outset. Endrick, Arda Guler and Gonzalo Garcia offered energy and movement around Mbappe, though clear chances were limited by Talavera goalkeeper Jaime Gonzalez, who set the tone with a string of early saves.
Xabi Alonso left Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Thibaut Courtois on the bench, and Real’s reliance on Mbappe grew as Talavera grew in confidence. Fran Garcia was denied by a dramatic goal line clearance from Alvaro Lopez in the 39th minute, a moment that preceded the night’s main controversy.
Seconds later, referee Guillermo Cuadra awarded Madrid a penalty for handball against Marcos Moreno following contact in the area. With no VAR in operation at this stage of the competition, the decision stood and Mbappe calmly converted in the 41st minute.
Real doubled their advantage before the break in fortuitous fashion. Mbappe’s close range effort took a decisive deflection off Farrando and rolled past Gonzalez, sending the visitors in at halftime with a 2 0 lead that felt less secure than the scoreline suggested.
Madrid failed to kill the contest after the restart. Mbappe missed a clear one on one in the 52nd minute and Gonzalez continued to frustrate the visitors, denying a powerful long range strike as Talavera stayed alive.
The hosts were rewarded in the 80th minute when Farrando sparked a swift counter attack and delivered a precise low cross for Arroyo, who fired past Andriy Lunin to ignite belief around the stadium.
That belief was punctured three minutes later by a costly error. Mbappe’s speculative effort from distance slipped through Gonzalez’s hands and over the line, restoring Madrid’s two goal cushion and swinging momentum back decisively.
Talavera refused to fade and struck again in stoppage time when Di Renzo reacted quickest after Isaiah Navarro’s effort struck the post, but there was no time for a final twist.
Real Madrid move into the last 16 with questions still unanswered, while Mbappe departs one goal closer to history and with another opportunity looming to surpass one of the club’s most enduring records.