La Liga: Kylian Mbappé nets first hat trick for Real Madrid; Sevilla, Atletico secure draws

NEW DELHI: Kylian Mbappé's hat-trick against Valladolid showcased his growing influence at Real Madrid, as the French star led his new club to a 3-0 victory, extending their lead atop La Liga.

After a somewhat inconsistent start, Mbappé has found his rhythm, scoring in back-to-back multi-goal games and propelling Madrid into a commanding position in the title race.

The match against the struggling Valladolid was a mismatch, with Madrid dominating from the outset.

Mbappé opened the scoring in the 30th minute, finishing off a flowing team move, before doubling the lead in the 57th minute with a clinical strike. His hat-trick was completed from the penalty spot after Valladolid were reduced to ten men.

Mbappé's performance underscored his adaptation to his new surroundings, as he expressed comfort on the field and a growing understanding with his teammates.

“I'm very happy for the hat trick but even happier for the win,” Mbappé said in fluent Spanish. “It was very important to win after Atletico’s result because that gave us a bit more pressure to take advantage of it.”

“Mbappé is giving us a lot. He has found his rhythm over the last couple of months and that is obviously a boost for us,” Ancelotti said.

His goal-scoring exploits have provided a significant boost to Madrid's title aspirations, with the club now four points clear of city rivals Atletico Madrid.


Elsewhere, Atletico dropped points in a 1-1 draw against Villarreal, while Real Betis secured a late 1-0 win over ten-man Mallorca through Cedric Bakambu's stoppage-time header.

In another closely contested match, Espanyol held Sevilla to a 1-1 draw, with goalkeeper Joan García making crucial saves to deny Dodi Lukebakio.

As the season progresses, Mbappé's form and Madrid's consistency will be crucial factors in the race for the La Liga title, with the French star's impact already proving pivotal in their quest for domestic supremacy.