Kylian Mbappé on the brink of matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s record

Real Madrid secured a 3-2 victory over third-division club Talavera in the round of 32 of Copa del Rey. Kylian Mbappe played a vital role in this win as he scored twice and created a third goal. 

The brace against Talavera moved Mbappé onto 58 goals for Real Madrid. The France international is pursuing Cristiano Ronaldo’s club record of 59 goals in a calendar year, achieved in 2013. He is now just one goal away from the Portuguese star’s benchmark.

Mbappe has registered five hat-tricks and 11 braces at club level this year, with 12 of his goals coming from the penalty spot. In his record-breaking season, Ronaldo recorded six hat-tricks, 12 braces and scored nine penalties.

Speaking at a post-match conference, head coach Xabi Alonso said: “Kylian was decisive with his goals. He always has that knack for scoring. 

The third goal was key, it was very important, and that's why we kept him on the field. Mission accomplished, and on to the next one."

When asked about Real Madrid’s poor performance against Talavera, Alonso said: “In the first half, we controlled the game well and took the lead, but not making it 3-0 left the game open, and it remained that way until the end.

“The second half was competitive. We looked for the third goal earlier and had chances, but it wasn’t to be. It was an exciting tie. It’s a special competition. Objective achieved, and on to the next game.”

Mbappe has the chance to equalise Ronaldo’s record when Real Madrid Sevilla on Saturday. This is Los Blancos’s final game of 2025, in LaLiga.