SOCCER: Mbappe edges closer to Ronaldo record as Real survive Copa del Rey test

TALAVERA DE LA REINA – Kylian Mbappe moved tantalizingly close to Cristiano Ronaldo’s calendar-year scoring record for Real Madrid after scoring twice in a thrilling 3–2 victory over third-tier Talavera de la Reina on Wednesday, sending the Spanish giants into the Copa del Rey last 16.

The French forward’s brace, along with an own goal by defender Manuel Farrando, proved decisive despite spirited strikes from Nahuel Arroyo and Gonzalo Di Renzo that threatened to derail Madrid’s evening in front of a raucous home crowd.

Mbappe entered the match with 56 goals in all competitions in 2025 and now sits just one goal short of Ronaldo’s club calendar-year record of 59 goals, set in 2013.

With one match remaining this year — Saturday’s LaLiga clash against struggling Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu — the 26-year-old could surpass the Portuguese great.

Backed by around 4,000 passionate supporters in Castilla-La Mancha, Real Madrid dominated the early exchanges, with youngsters Endrick, Arda Guler and Gonzalo Garcia combining effectively alongside Mbappe.

However, they were repeatedly frustrated by Talavera goalkeeper Jaime Gonzalez, who produced a series of outstanding saves.

With coach Xabi Alonso resting several key players, including Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Thibaut Courtois, Madrid again looked to Mbappe for inspiration.

Fran Garcia saw his header cleared off the line by Alvaro Lopez in the 39th minute, but controversy followed moments later. Referee Guillermo Cuadra penalized Marcos Moreno for handball after apparent contact caused by Madrid’s Alvaro Carreras during a tussle in the box.

With VAR not in use until the last 16 of the competition, the decision stood, and Mbappe calmly converted the resulting penalty in the 41st minute to put Madrid ahead.

Before halftime, Mbappe was involved again as Real doubled their lead, with his close-range effort deflecting off Farrando and into the net for an own goal, giving the visitors a 2–0 advantage at the break.

Madrid wasted several chances to extend their lead in the second half. Mbappe missed a clear one-on-one opportunity in the 52nd minute, while Gonzalez denied him again with a strong save from distance.

Talavera capitalized on Madrid’s wastefulness in the 80th minute when Farrando launched a swift counterattack, sending a low cross into the box that Arroyo smashed past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin to make it 2–1.

The hosts sensed a potential upset, but a costly goalkeeping error halted their momentum. Mbappe’s speculative shot from outside the box in the 83rd minute was fumbled by Gonzalez, with the ball trickling over the line to restore Madrid’s two-goal cushion.

Talavera refused to relent and pulled another goal back in the 91st minute when Di Renzo reacted quickest to a rebound after Isaiah Navarro’s effort struck the post.

Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin then ensured Madrid’s survival with a superb late save, denying Navarro from close range as the underdogs pushed for a dramatic equalizer.

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Antoine Griezmann inspired Atletico Madrid to a 3–2 win away to fourth-tier Atletico Baleares.

Griezmann opened the scoring in the 16th minute following neat combination play with Thiago Almada and Conor Gallagher. Giacomo Raspadori doubled Atletico’s lead soon after, heading in Nahuel Molina’s cross.

Baleares responded through Gerardo Bonet, but Griezmann struck again in the second half from Javi Galan’s delivery to restore Atletico’s cushion.

Jaume Tovar missed a penalty for the hosts before Mouhamadou Keita converted from the spot in the 90th minute, setting up a tense finish that Atletico ultimately survived. -Reporting by Fernando KallasEditing by Toby Davis/Reuters