Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid beat Talavera in the Copa del Rey, moving just one goal shy of Cristiano Ronaldo’s record for most goals in a calendar year for the club.
The 26-year-old French forward now has 58 goals in 2025, one short of Ronaldo’s 59-goal tally from 2013. He scored his first from the penalty spot before an own goal from Talavera’s Manuel Farrando made it 2-0. Talavera pulled one back late, but another own goal off Mbappe’s effort sealed Real’s win and progression to the last 16.
Manager Xabi Alonso made ten changes from the side that beat Alaves, with stars like Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Jr on the bench. Real now sit second in La Liga, four points behind leaders Barcelona, and also remain seventh in the Champions League ahead of the final league games before January.
Mbappe will have the chance to equal or surpass Ronaldo’s record when Real play Sevilla in La Liga on Saturday.
