New Age | Mbappe scores first La Liga goals for Real

Kylian Mbappe responded to his critics in style by scoring his first La Liga goals to earn Real Madrid a 2-0 win over Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday to move up to second in the table.

Since scoring in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta, new signing Mbappe has failed to find the net in Madrid’s opening three La Liga matches, drawing criticism from the Spanish press.

Mbappe had to wait for his goals as he squandered several chances until he finally found the net in the 67th minute, firing the ball past the Betis goalkeeper with his left foot after a well-placed cross with the back heel from Fede Valverde.

The France captain added a second goal eight minutes later from the penalty spot and was sent off when he was replaced by Luka Modrić in the 84th minute.

“It’s a great moment,” Mbappe told Spanish television after the match.

“I really hoped to score at the Bernabeu, this mythical stadium, the best in the world. But the most important thing was to win.

“After the match against Las Palmas we knew we had to win. And that’s what we did today, in a difficult match. But we are Real and in the end we win, and in great style.”

The smile on Mbappe’s face was a stark contrast to the apprehension he has shown since scoring his first goal and winning his first trophy in Warsaw on August 14.

On Saturday, coach Carlo Ancelotti responded to the criticism by insisting his star signing had settled in well and reiterated in his post-match press conference that “we never put pressure on Mbappé to score goals”.

“He was very effective in the penalty area, he had many opportunities. I think it’s important for him to score, but we appreciate the work he does for the team more,” added Ancelotti, who confirmed that Vinicius allowed the French striker to take the penalty.

Ancelotti also praised the entire squad, which has taken some time to gel this season.

“We do not feel fear or frustration,” Ancelotti said.

“We have the desire, the motivation to try to do better. Today we did better. I think we deserved to win. It was a good game, much more supportive among everyone, and we come into the (international) break feeling good.”

The victory moved Real Madrid up to eight points and second in the table, four behind leaders Barcelona, ​​who thrashed Real Valladolid 7-0 on Saturday to claim their fourth win in four in La Liga under new coach Hansi Flick.

Atletico Madrid are third after winning in Bilbao on Saturday, while Villarreal are fourth, with both teams on eight points.

Girona are fifth after claiming their second win of the season in Seville.

Ivan Martin gave Girona the lead in the 41st minute and Abel Ruiz sealed a 2-0 win over Sevilla with a penalty in the 73rd minute.

Goals from Carlos Vicente and Luca Romero gave Alaves a 2-0 win over Las Palmas, while Osasuna remain in seventh place after a thrilling 3-2 home win over Celta Vigo.

Ante Budimir passed the ball to Flavien Boyomo and the hosts took the lead in the 21st minute, but the advantage did not last long as Borja Iglesias equalised for Celta.

Carlos Dominguez’s own goal just before the break allowed Osasuna to regain the lead, and Abel Bretones scored a third just after the hour mark.

Celta were down to ten men when Alfonso Gonzalez was sent off four minutes from time, but Moi Gomez’s last-minute own goal proved to be little consolation.