Mbappe Ends Scoring Drought in Spanish League and Scores 2 in Real Madrid’s Win Over Betis 

Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Real Betis - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - September 1, 2024 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Real Betis - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - September 1, 2024 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
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Mbappe Ends Scoring Drought in Spanish League and Scores 2 in Real Madrid’s Win Over Betis 

Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Real Betis - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - September 1, 2024 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)
Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Real Betis - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - September 1, 2024 Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates scoring their first goal. (Reuters)

With two goals in less than 10 minutes, Kylian Mbappe ended his scoring drought in the Spanish league, leading Real Madrid to a 2-0 win over Real Betis on Sunday.

Madrid's biggest signing in years, Mbappe had scored once in the team's win over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup final last month, but he had yet to find the net in his previous three Spanish league matches.

“I was looking forward to scoring in this legendary stadium, the best in the world,” Mbappe said. “But the most important thing was the victory.”

He opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabeu with a low left-footed shot from inside the area after a neat backheel pass by Federico Valverde in the 67th minute. Mbappe then added to the lead by converting a 75th-minute penalty kick after a foul on Vinicius Junior.

Madrid had drawn two of its first three games, with its lone victory coming against Valladolid two rounds ago, also at the Bernabeu. This win moved the defending champion four points behind leader Barcelona, the only team to win all four matches to start the season.

“After the game against Las Palmas we knew that we had to win and we did it,” Mbappe said. “It was a tough match, but we are Real Madrid and in the end we won it.”

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said there was never any pressure on Mbappe to end his drought in the league.

“For him it was important to score, but we evaluate the work of the team as a whole, which was better than in the previous match. It was a step forward.”

The result kept Betis winless after three matches. Manuel Pellegrini's team had drawn its first two games.

Vitor Roque, a young Brazilian forward, was a second-half substitute for the Seville club where he is playing on loan from Madrid rival Barcelona.

Madrid has not conceded in its last five league games at Bernabeu, going back to last season, a first for the club in the competition since 1996.

Madrid is unbeaten in 26 home games in the league, with 22 wins and four draws, the best run under Ancelotti.

The five points from three matches until now had meant Madrid's worst start in the league since 2019-20, when it won the competition.

Elsewhere, Sevilla lost 2-0 at home to Girona to remain winless after four matches.

Ivan Martin and Abel Ruiz scored a goal in each half for Girona, which has now won two in a row. It will play the Catalan derby against Barcelona in the next round.

Sevilla had drawn two of its first three matches, both on the road, with a loss to Villarreal at home.

Getafe, another team without a victory, drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad at home, while Las Palmas — also winless — lost 2-0 at Alaves. Osasuna won 3-2 against Celta Vigo, which had opened with two straight wins but now has lost two in a row.



Renard Confirms Saudi National Team's Readiness for the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday - SPA
The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday - SPA
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Renard Confirms Saudi National Team's Readiness for the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup

The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday - SPA
The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday - SPA

French coach Hervé Renard has confirmed the Saudi national football team's readiness to compete in the 26th Arabian Gulf Cup in Kuwait, from 21 December 2024 to 3 January 2025, and stressed that the team aims to achieve great results, rather than merely gain experience.
Renard also said the tournament is a valuable opportunity to enhance the players' technical and physical capabilities, SPA reported.
Speaking at a press conference, Renard said: "We are here to participate effectively and win. This tournament provides a great platform to work with the players and prepare them for future competitions."
Regarding the team's condition, Renard said that player Hassan Tambakti is ready for action, while Salem Al-Dawsari is "working on regaining full fitness".

He commended Al-Dawsari for his dedication to speeding up his recovery. Meanwhile, Firas Al-Brikan is dealing with an injury, and his availability will depend on further evaluations, said Renard.
Acknowledging the challenges ahead, Renard said: "I accepted this challenge because I believe in the players' capabilities. We must work with team spirit and focus on improvement in the coming period."
As far as the team's opening match against Bahrain is concerned, Renard said: "We are preparing for a tough game. The preparation period was crucial, and our focus now is on delivering a strong performance."
The Saudi team is set to face Bahrain on Sunday in what promises to be an exciting start to their Gulf Cup matches. Both teams are eager to make a strong impression in their opening match.