58 Not Out for Mbappe as Real Madrid Edge Past Talavera in Copa del Rey
Kylian Mbappe moved to within one goal of equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for the most Real Madrid goals in a calendar year after scoring twice in a 3-2 Copa del Rey win over Talavera on Wednesday. The French forward netted his 57th and 58th goals of 2025 as Real Madrid progressed to the last 16 of the competition, overcoming a late fightback from the third-division hosts at Estadio El Prado. An own goal from defender Manu Farrando completed Real’s scoring, while Talavera found the net twice in the final 10 minutes. Real Madrid, beaten finalists in last season’s Copa del Rey, took control of the tie early on. Head coach Xabi Alonso made 10 changes to the side that beat Alaves in La Liga on Sunday, with Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr among those starting on the bench. Despite dominating possession, the visitors were made to wait for the opening goal. The breakthrough came in the 41st minute when Mbappe converted from the penalty spot, sending goalkeeper Jaime Gonzalez the wrong...