Mbappe shines for Madrid in six-goal cracker
Kylian Mbappe scored a spectacular goal and provided an assist to move Real Madrid up to second on LaLiga's standings after beating Sevilla 4-2 in an entertaining affair that was the last for visiting hero Jesus Navas.
Mbappe notched the opener before setting up Brahim Diaz in the second half, with Los Blancos now a point behind leader Atletico Madrid after 18 games, both capital clubs with a game in hand on third-placed Barcelona, which had top leading prior to the weekend's fixtures.
Carlo Ancelotti's side hit the front with 10 minutes on the clock when Mbappe was picked out by Rodrygo, rifling a fierce effort beyond Alvaro Fernandez from outside the box.
But not wanting to be outdone by his team-mate, Federico Valverde took aim from a similar distance and sent a stunning strike into the roof of the net soon after.
Rodrygo then got his name on the scoresheet with a fine finish, but Sevilla pulled a goal back just a minute later through Isaac Romero's header.
But Madrid restored a three-goal advantage eight minutes after the restart when Diaz gathered Mbappe's clever pick out before finishing into the far left corner.
Sevilla halved the deficit with five minutes remaining as Dodi Lukebakio collected Peque Fernandez's searching pass before finishing at Thibaut Courtois' near post.
Navas, who was given a guard of honour and presented with a commemorative signed shirt by Luka Moric and the Madrid players, made his final appearance as a substitute just after the hour mark and was given a standing ovation as he ran on for the last time in his glittering career.
Ahead of the game, Ancelotti said that Mbappe's adaption to life at Madrid was complete, and his display certainly backed that up.
The Frenchman had more shots (five) and more touches in the opposition box (nine) than any of his team-mates, while also producing a team-high expected goals (xG) tally of 0.55.
Mbappe has been involved in 49 goals in 2024 as a player for Paris Saint-Germain (23 goals, eight assists) and Madrid (14 goals, four assists) in all competitions.
Only Harry Kane (50) has been involved in more goals than him this year.
Madrid has now scored four goals or more against Sevilla in 34 matches in all competitions. Only against Espanyol (38) have they done so on more occasions in their history.
Ancelotti believes Mbappe's self-criticism has fuelled his return to form.
"After the defeat against [AC] Milan, we sorted things out in the dressing room by talking very clearly," Ancelotti said.
"Self-criticism has made us clear up what we were lacking, which was a bit of a lack of attitude, of collective commitment, of running a bit more.
"We have gone back to doing things the way we should have done them.
"Mbappe has been self-critical and that's why he has got out of a situation that could have been complicated."
