Mbappé Shines as Real Madrid Secures Victory Over Celta de Vigo

MADRID, Spain — Kylian Mbappé continued his stellar form, scoring the decisive goal in Real Madrid‘s 1-0 victory over Celta de Vigo in a Copa del Rey match on Thursday. The French forward’s sharp finish in the 35th minute broke the deadlock and secured the win for the home team at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Mbappé’s goal came from a swift counterattack, as he fired a precise shot to the near post, beating Celta goalkeeper Iván Villar. The strike marked his 16th goal of the season across all competitions, solidifying his position as Real Madrid’s top scorer.

Celta de Vigo players protested a potential penalty in the second half, claiming contact with Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. However, replays showed the Celta player fell before any significant contact occurred, and the referee dismissed the appeals.

Mbappé celebrated his goal by placing his hand on the Real Madrid crest and making a gesture with his finger, which some interpreted as a show of support for teammate Aurélien Tchouaméni. The midfielder was booed by fans throughout the match, though the exact reason remains unclear.

After the game, Mbappé took to Instagram with a cryptic message: “You don’t play with the badge.” The post sparked speculation about his intentions, though he did not elaborate further.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti praised Mbappé’s performance in his post-match press conference. “Mbappé is finding his best level. He’s helping us all a lot,” Ancelotti said. The Frenchman has scored in six of Real Madrid’s last eight matches, showcasing his growing influence on the team.

While Mbappé leads the scoring charts, Brazilian forward Vinícius Junior remains a key contributor with 14 goals and 10 assists this season. Ancelotti also noted Vinícius’ improved composure, describing his recent attitude as “calmer.”

With the victory, Real Madrid advances in the Copa del Rey, maintaining their pursuit of multiple trophies this season. Mbappé’s consistent performances are proving crucial as the team looks to solidify its dominance in both domestic and international competitions.