MADRID (AP) – Kylian Mbappé scored twice and Real Madrid beat third-division club Talavera 3-2 in the last-32 of the Copa del Rey on Wednesday.
Mbappe converted a penalty in the 41st minute and sealed the victory with a shot from outside the area late in the second half, his 10th goal in the last six games against Madrid. Mbappe was also involved in the play that led to Manuel Farand’s own goal in first-half stoppage time.
“He was decisive,” Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said. “Kilian has the ability to score. The third goal was the key. That’s why we kept him on the pitch and started him.”
Talavera narrowed Madrid’s lead with goals from Nahuel Arroyo in the 80th minute and Gonzalo Di Renzo in second-half stoppage time, but Madrid continued to avoid an upset that would have put added pressure on Alonso after a string of disappointing results in recent times.
A tough save from Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin in the final moments was key to securing Madrid’s victory.
Madrid struggled in the closing stages, but took control from the start despite playing without several regular starters.
“We controlled the game well in the first half and took the lead, but we couldn’t make it 3-0 and the game remained open, and it remained that way until the end,” Alonso said. “The second half was a very even game. We had a chance to score a third goal early on, but it didn’t happen. It was an exciting draw. It’s a special tournament. We achieved our goal and now we move on to the next game.”
Madrid ended 2025 on Saturday with Sevilla in the Spanish league.
Atlético Madrid survives
Antoine Griezmann scored a goal in each half for Atlético, who fought hard to win 3-2 against Atlético Valerez.
Atlético led 2-0 and 3-1, but the hosts continued to threaten until the end. Baleares missed a penalty kick in the 80th minute, but caught up in the 90th minute. Giacomo Raspadori also scored for Atlético.
This was the third consecutive win in all competitions for coach Diego Simeone’s team, who had lost two consecutive games in the Spanish league, which ranks fourth behind Villarreal.
First division teams are struggling
Top clubs Villarreal, Celtavigo and Levante were eliminated by bottom teams.
Villarreal, who were in third place in the Spanish league and enjoying their best season in years, lost 2-1 after conceding twice in the first half. Ayoze Perez scored in the 86th minute, but Villarreal could not complete the comeback. Juan Carlos Arana scored both goals for the hosts.
This was Villarreal’s second consecutive loss in all competitions. It happened when they lost 3-2 at home to Copenhagen in the Champions League. Villarreal has won six consecutive games in the Spanish league.
Celta lost to second division Albacete 3-0 in a penalty shootout. The hosts scored in the 4th minute of stoppage time in the second half to tie the game 2-2, forcing the game into overtime.
Levante lost 0-1 to second division team Cultural Leonesa.
In a match between top clubs, Alaves defeated Sevilla 1-0 at home thanks to Carlos Vicente’s penalty in the 79th minute.
on tuesday, Barcelona beat third division Guadalajara 2-0. The other first-division clubs who advanced on Tuesday were Real Sociedad and Valencia, while Mallorca lost to second-division side Deportivo La Coruña.
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