Kylian Mbappé Nears Real Madrid Calendar-Year Record After Two Goals in Copa del Rey Win at Talavera
Talavera de la Reina, Spain — Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé came within one goal of equalling Cristiano Ronaldo’s iconic record for the most goals scored in a calendar year for the club after netting twice in Real’s Copa del Rey victory over Talavera.
The 26-year-old French forward scored his 57th and 58th goals of 2025, sandwiched around an own goal, as Real Madrid fought off a late surge from the third-division side to secure a 3-2 win and progress to the Copa del Rey Round of 16.
Mbappé Closing in on Ronaldo’s Real Madrid Record
Mbappé’s latest brace moves him to within just one goal of Cristiano Ronaldo’s 59-goal calendar year record set in 2013 — a milestone that once seemed untouchable in club history. With Real Madrid’s La Liga clash against Sevilla coming up on Saturday (20:00 GMT), Mbappé will have another chance to chase down the record.
Real Madrid Team News and Lineup Changes
Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso made significant squad changes for the match, making 10 alterations from the side that beat Alavés in La Liga just days earlier. Key players like Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. were named on the bench as Alonso rotated to manage fitness across competitions.
Match Summary: Dominance, Late Drama, and Progression
Real Madrid controlled much of the game but took time to break through. It wasn’t until the 42nd minute that Mbappé opened the scoring, converting a penalty after a handball was awarded against Talavera’s Marcos Moreno.
Just four minutes later, Mbappé was again involved, this time forcing a cross that deflected off defender Manuel Farrando and into his own net to make it 2–0.
Talavera fought back late in the second half, with Nahuel Arroyo pulling a goal back in the 80th minute. However, Madrid responded quickly — Mbappé’s shot from distance was parried into his own net by the Talavera keeper eight minutes later, restoring Real’s two-goal cushion.
Although Gonzalo Di Renzo scored a stoppage-time goal for Talavera, it proved insufficient as Real Madrid sealed their place in the next round.
Real Madrid’s Form and Future Fixtures
This was Real’s third win in five matches, suggesting a turnaround in form after a challenging spell in late November that saw just one victory in five outings. Under Alonso’s guidance, Real not only advanced in the Copa del Rey but also currently sit second in La Liga, closing the gap on leaders Barcelona, and are positioned seventh in the Champions League ahead of the final two group stage matches in January.
With momentum building, all eyes will be on Mbappé as he looks to chase down Ronaldo’s record in the coming days.
