Mbappé hat-trick as Madrid run riot
4 day(s)
Real Madrid picked up their first win in Kazakhstan and their second victory in the league phase of the Champions League. The star of the show was Mbappé, who netted three goals and led Xabi Alonso's side to a resounding victory in Almaty. He scored the first goal from the penalty spot and was rampant in the second half. He grabbed his second after latching onto an assist from Courtois and made it three with a powerful strike from the edge of the box. In the 83rd minute, Camavinga headed home the fourth after a move by Rodrygo, and in added time, Brahim scored the fifth.
After ten minutes of pressure from the home side, Xabi Alonso's team started to dominate and create chances. The first came in the 13th minute when Vini Jr. found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Kalmurza, but the Brazilian's effort missed the target. Five minutes later, Fran García cut the ball back and Arda Güler's shot from the penalty spot was saved by Sorokin.
The goal was only a matter of time and almost came in the 21st minute after a team move that ended with Mbappé cutting inside and curling in a shot. The goalkeeper's save prevented a goal that finally came in the 25th minute. Mastantono anticipated Sorokin's misplaced header back to the goalkeeper, beat Kalmurza to the ball and was brought down inside the area by the keeper. Mbappé converted the penalty to extend his scoring run.
Chances
From then until half-time, Real Madrid carved out more chances. The clearest came in the 45th minute. Mbappé beat Sorokin with a superb nutmeg, but his left-footed effort narrowly missed the target. After the restart, the Frenchman made it 0-2. The assist came from Courtois, who turned a difficult parry into a great goal pass. The Frenchman did the rest in the 52nd minute with an exquisite finish, lifting the ball over the home goalkeeper.
The minutes wore on, and in the 63rd minute, Mastantuono had a chance to extend the lead. His fierce right-footed shot from inside the box crashed into Kalmurza's body. And in the 68th minute, Italian referee Marco Guida awarded a penalty for a challenge by Ceballos on Mynsky, but after reviewing the play on the monitor, he reversed his initial decision and rescinded the penalty.
Mbappé completes hat-trick
The encounter seemed to be under control, but Mbappé made sure of it with a hat-trick. A great run by Rodrygo and Arda Güler set up the Frenchman, who fired a powerful shot from the edge of the box that the goalkeeper could do nothing about. In the 83rd minute, Camavinga grabbed the fourth with a header after a spectacular move by Rodrygo. And in added time, Brahim added the fifth and final goal with a tight cross-shot. It was the first official win in Kazakhstan and a clean sweep in the Champions League.