Kylian Mbappé marked his 27th birthday by matching one of Real Madrid’s most iconic records, scoring his 59th goal of the calendar year in a 2–0 La Liga victory over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabéu. The late penalty saw the French superstar equal Cristiano Ronaldo’s long-standing club benchmark set in 2013.
Mbappé’s landmark moment came four minutes from full time on Saturday, capping a night of persistence after several missed opportunities. Calm and composed from the penalty spot, he sent the Sevilla goalkeeper the wrong way to reach 59 goals in 59 appearances across all competitions in 2025, an extraordinary return in his first season at the Spanish giants.
Mbappé Joins Elite Company at Real Madrid
With his decisive strike, Mbappé joined Ronaldo as the only Real Madrid players to score 59 goals in a single calendar year, a feat that underscores his instant impact at the club.
“Today, and because of the record, it’s incredible to do what Cristiano did in my first year,” Mbappé told Real Madrid TV. “He’s my idol, the best player in the history of this club and a reference in world football. It’s a huge honour.”
The goal was followed by a familiar celebration, with Mbappé recreating Ronaldo’s iconic pose as a tribute to the Portuguese legend, who remains one of his biggest inspirations.
Bellingham Sets the Tone as Real Grind Out Victory
While Mbappé stole the headlines late on, Jude Bellingham laid the foundation for the win with a crucial first-half goal. Seven minutes before the interval, Rodrygo delivered a precise free kick into the box, and Bellingham rose highest to power a header into the far corner, easing the pressure on the hosts.
Despite the breakthrough, Real Madrid were far from dominant. Sevilla caused problems throughout the match and were unlucky not to level earlier, with Isaac Romero narrowly missing after being played through on goal.
Sevilla Reduced to 10 Men but Stay Competitive
Sevilla’s task became more difficult in the 68th minute when defender Marcao received a second yellow card and was sent off. Even with a numerical advantage, Real Madrid struggled to kill the game, with goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois producing a series of crucial saves to preserve the lead.
Courtois denied Alexis Sánchez and Romero with sharp reflexes as Sevilla continued to threaten, exposing defensive gaps that kept the Bernabéu crowd on edge.
Mbappé’s Frustration Turns to History
Mbappé endured a frustrating evening in front of goal before his decisive moment. He fired a snap shot wide in the first half, sent another effort straight at the goalkeeper, and later dragged a shot narrowly past the post.
His closest effort before scoring came from a corner, when his header crashed off the crossbar. After Marcao’s dismissal, Rodrygo also came close with a brilliant turn and shot that forced Sevilla goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos to tip the ball onto the bar.
Relief finally arrived when Juanlu Sánchez fouled Rodrygo in the box late on. Mbappé stepped up confidently, converting the penalty and sealing both the win and a place in Real Madrid history.
“I wanted to give Cristiano a little nod,” Mbappé said. “He’s always been affectionate with me. Normally I have my own celebration, but he’s been my idol since I was a kid. Now he’s a friend.”
VAR Denies Mbappé a Record-Breaker
Moments later, Mbappé thought he had the chance to surpass Ronaldo outright when the referee again pointed to the penalty spot. However, a VAR review overturned the decision, forcing the Frenchman to settle for an equal share of the record rather than claiming it outright.
La Liga Title Race Tightens
The victory leaves Real Madrid second in La Liga with 42 points, just one point behind leaders Barcelona, who face third-placed Villarreal on Sunday. Sevilla remain ninth on 20 points.
Under manager Xabi Alonso, Real Madrid end the year on a positive run, recording three consecutive wins in all competitions after a difficult spell in November that saw them drop points in three straight league draws.
With Mbappé in record-matching form and the title race finely balanced, Real Madrid appear well-positioned for a strong push in the second half of the season.
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