The Frenchman found the net three times to salvage an otherwise middling performance from Carlo Ancelotti's side
Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick to save an otherwise lacking Real Madrid, as they relied on three separate moments of class from their big summer signing to beat La Liga's 20th-placed team 3-0. Los Blancos were poor throughout, but tidy enough and reliant on a superstar to pick up a win that keeps them top of the table.
The Frenchman broke the deadlock after a slow Madrid start. A quick interchange with Jude Bellingham gave the forward space in the box and he comfortably found the bottom corner. Los Blancos were otherwise in a state of control against a Real Valladolid side that offered admittedly little. Rodrygo fired high and wide, while Bellingham saw a shot deflected away.
Another bit of magic opened the game up for good when Rodrygo fed Mbappe, who simply passed the ball across the goalkeeper to give Madrid daylight early in the second half.
He then completed his hat-trick in the 91st minute. Bellingham was brought down in the box, and after a lengthy VAR check, the referee pointed to the spot. Mbappe made no mistake to round off a convincing victory.
This was far from a signature performance. Madrid played down to the level of a side at the basement of La Liga. But three bits of quality killed things off. That might just end up being the story of Madrid's season.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Estadio Jose Zorrilla…
AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
Thibaut Courtois (7/10):
Had a save to make inside five minutes. Was otherwise probably bored.
Raul Asencio (7/10):
A well-deserved start, albeit at an unfamiliar position. Tidy and deserved 90 minutes.
Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):
Another run out at centre-back, where he still looks pretty uncomfortable.
Antonio Rudiger (8/10):
One excellent defensive recovery prevented a Valladolid break. Otherwise commanding at the back.
Fran Garcia (6/10):
A bit quiet, all said. Didn't offer much going forward at all.
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Dani Ceballos (7/10):
Completed 98 percent of his passes, even if most of them were sideways and 10-15 yards.
Federico Valverde (6/10):
Played centre midfield, then right-back. Not his most involved game, but a decent scrappy showing.
Jude Bellingham (7/10):
A delightful little flick set up Mbappe's opener. Never stopped running, and came close to scoring on a couple of occasions.
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Brahim Diaz (6/10):
Struggled to get involved in the game. He seems to function better in a more central role.
Kylian Mbappe (9/10):
Automatic with his goals. It's absolutely zero coincidence that he is so much better when Vinicius isn't playing.
Rodrygo (5/10):
Deployed on the left with Vinicius Jr suspended. A few nice moments, but was also lacking at times – putting the odd shot wide.
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Luka Modric (6/10):
Floated around a bit. Should have scored late on.
David Alaba (6/10):
A solid run out.
Arda Guler (6/10):
Showed some creativity. Could have started ahead of Diaz.
Endrick (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Lorenzo Aguado (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Carlo Ancelotti (7/10):
He won't be happy with his team's performance here. Madrid were sloppy throughout, and relied on individual quality to pick up three points. Still, not every week can be spellbinding.
