A clinical hat-trick from Kylian Mbappe powered Real Madrid to a commanding 3-0 victory over Valladolid on Saturday, extending their lead at the top of La Liga to four points. The win came after second-place Atletico Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Villarreal, while third-place Barcelona trails Madrid by 10 points ahead of their clash with Valencia.
Mbappe, who has hit a rich vein of form after a slow start to his Madrid career following his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain, netted his 15th league goal of the season, now just one behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.
The French forward’s performance ensured Madrid maintained control throughout the match despite the absence of suspended Vinicius Junior.
After a series of early saves by Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, Mbappe opened the scoring in the 30th minute with a curling shot from the edge of the area, assisted by Jude Bellingham. The striker doubled his tally in the 57th minute, curling a low shot past Valladolid’s Karl Hein.
Mbappe completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in the final stages following a reckless challenge on Bellingham from Mario Martin, who was subsequently sent off.
