Mbappe Extends Scoring Streak, Sends Real Madrid Top Of La Liga

French star Kylian Mbappe continued his incredible scoring run on Sunday night, finding the net for the 11th consecutive game to hand Real Madrid a narrow 1-0 victory over nine-man Getafe, a result that returned Los Blancos to the top of La Liga.

Naija News reports that Madrid’s latest win at Getafe’s Coliseum Stadium came less than 24 hours after rivals Barcelona briefly climbed to the summit following their slim win over Girona. But Xabi Alonso’s men restored their two-point cushion ahead of next weekend’s much-anticipated El Clásico.

Mbappe, returning after missing France’s World Cup qualifier with an ankle issue, had a few half-chances in the match yesterday, October 19, but was largely kept quiet early on.

The Frenchman had scored in ten straight appearances before the game and was hunting his 11th, which would eventually arrive late in the contest.

With a midweek Champions League clash against Juventus and the looming showdown with Barcelona, Alonso started Vinicius Junior on the bench. But the Brazilian’s second-half introduction changed everything.

“Vini had a great impact… we told him this morning he could be so important,” AFP quoted Alonso as saying after the game.

“Coming here to face Getafe is never easy. It wasn’t the prettiest match, but we did what we had to do.”

Once on the pitch, Vinicius immediately stretched the Getafe defence with his pace and trickery. His influence rattled the hosts, who began resorting to fouls to contain him.

Getafe Get Booked With Red

The breakthrough moment came chaotically. Naija News reports that Getafe substitute Allan Nyom, introduced in the 79th minute, lasted barely a minute before elbowing Vinicius off the ball, a needless foul that earned him an instant red card.

Seconds later, Madrid punished the lapse. Arda Güler slipped a clever pass into Mbappe, who timed his run perfectly, spun past his marker, and slotted a precise finish off the post to make it 1-0, his 10th league goal of the season.

The goal kept him top of both the La Liga and Champions League scoring charts and extended his red-hot form in front of goal.

“We are very happy with how Kylian is going; he’s being decisive,” Alonso added.

Getafe’s frustrations boiled over again when Alex Sancris picked up a second yellow card, also for a reckless foul on Vinicius, leaving José Bordalás’s side with just nine men.

Still, the home team nearly salvaged a point deep into stoppage time when Abu Kamara broke free in the box, but Thibaut Courtois came to Madrid’s rescue, blocking the Englishman’s effort with his knee.

“We should not give away this chance, but Thibaut did his job,” Alonso admitted.

Getafe Coach Fumes Over Officiating

Bordalás, visibly frustrated, insisted Nyom’s red card was excessive and changed the complexion of the game.

“Nyom’s red card changed everything. For me, it’s not a red, yellow at most,” he argued. Despite the loss, Getafe were applauded by their fans for their fight, even as some booed Vinicius for his showboating late on.

Naija News reports that Real Madrid’s focus now turns to their midweek Champions League meeting with Juventus, before facing Barcelona in a high-stakes El Clásico at the Bernabéu next weekend.

Alonso is expected to rotate his squad, with fitness concerns around Alaba and Rodrygo.

Elsewhere, newly-promoted Elche continued their impressive start with a 0-0 draw against Athletic Bilbao, keeping them seventh, one spot above their Basque opponents.

Rayo Vallecano climbed to 10th after thrashing Levante 3-0, while Real Sociedad earned a late 1-1 draw against 10-man Celta Vigo to ease pressure on their manager.

Source: Naijanews