Kylian Mbappé struck twice as Real Madrid delivered a statement 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, continuing their strong start to the La Liga campaign.
Madrid wasted little time taking control.
Mbappé Sets the Tone
The breakthrough arrived in the 14th minute when Real Madrid were awarded a penalty after Florian Lejeune committed a foul.
Mbappé stepped up and calmly converted, sending goalkeeper Emil Audero the wrong way to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.
Just three minutes later, the French forward turned creator.
Mbappé slipped a precise pass into the penalty area for Álvaro Carreras, who kept his finish low and found the bottom-left corner. Real Madrid suddenly had a two-goal cushion.
Bellingham Makes It Three
Rayo were struggling to contain Madrid’s attacking movement, and the visitors added another before half-time.
In the 35th minute, Jude Bellingham capped a well-constructed attacking move with a low finish into the bottom-right corner.
At 3-0, Madrid appeared firmly in command.
But Rayo were not finished.
Rayo Fight Back
The hosts emerged from the break with greater urgency and pulled a goal back just six minutes into the second half.
Sergio Camello received a perfectly weighted pass before firing a low shot into the bottom-left corner, cutting the deficit to 3-1.
The goal changed the mood inside the stadium. Rayo pushed forward in search of another.
Then Thibaut Courtois intervened.
In the 55th minute, the Real Madrid goalkeeper produced an outstanding save to keep out a powerful effort from Lejeune that was heading toward the bottom-left corner.
That stop proved crucial as Rayo’s momentum began to fade.
Mbappé Delivers the Final Blow
Real Madrid survived the pressure and gradually regained control, creating chances of their own as Rayo’s comeback hopes diminished.
Then, deep into stoppage time, Mbappé finished the job.
The forward collected an excellent pass and reacted quickly, firing a shot that struck the left post before finding the net.
4-1. Game over.
Mbappé’s second goal completed a memorable individual performance and ensured Real Madrid closed out a convincing away victory.
The result gives Madrid another strong start to the season, while Rayo are left to reflect on a spirited second-half response that ultimately could not overcome the damage done before the break.
