Mbappe scores penalty as Real Madrid beat Racing Santander 3-0

Real Madrid collected a comfortable 3-0 away win at Racing Santander on Sunday, with Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Yan Diomande all on the scoresheet, according to IOL, citing AFP.

A tough week for Mbappe

The French forward arrived at the Sardinero stadium after an eventful few days. He finished just behind Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane in the Ballon d’Or voting, and he also apologised following an online backlash over a video in which he made a joke about Mao Zedong. IOL reported that China’s state broadcaster did not show Madrid’s game, or the other Spanish matches played this weekend, in the wake of the row.

On the pitch, Mbappe made a strong start. He went down under light contact from Matteo Prati and won a penalty, which he hit firmly into the net in the 11th minute. It was his 12th league goal of the season, which leaves him behind only Barcelona’s Raphinha, who has 15.

Bellingham reaches a milestone

Arda Guler played a precise ball through for Bellingham, who beat the goalkeeper to make it 2-0. The England midfielder has now scored 50 goals since arriving at Madrid in 2023. “Reaching 50 goals with Real Madrid is very special,” he told Real Madrid TV.

Diomande, described as the club’s record signing, added the third with a strike from the edge of the area. Madrid created more chances after that. Mbappe hit the post, and Racing goalkeeper Julen Agirrezabala kept out Bellingham. A late Bellingham goal was disallowed for offside.

Racing thought they had a penalty when Aurelien Tchouameni handled the ball, but the award was overturned after a VAR check. Their coach, Jose Alberto, said Madrid’s penalty irritated him. He told DAZN that the first goal and that decision shaped the match. Jose Mourinho was pleased with his team’s first-half display. “The team is growing, playing well,” he said.

Where the table stands

Madrid have now won six games in a row in all competitions. They are third in La Liga, three points behind leaders Barcelona, who beat Alaves 6-1 on Saturday, and a point behind city rivals Atletico Madrid, who won 2-0 at Levante. Racing, back in La Liga for the first time in 14 seasons, are 16th and suffered their first home defeat of the campaign.

Elsewhere on the weekend:

• Getafe beat Sevilla 3-1.
• Valencia won 1-0 against Elche thanks to a goal from Umar Sadiq, moving within a point of safety.
• Athletic Bilbao edged Real Sociedad 2-1 in the Basque derby, with a contested first-half penalty from Alex Berenguer deciding the contest.

This story is based on reporting by IOL.