Kylian Mbappe equals Cristiano Ronaldo's record at Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappe has equalled Cristiano Ronaldo’s feat of 33 goals in his debut Real Madrid season by scoring a brace in front of their home fans in a hard-fought 3-2 win over Leganes in a La Liga on Saturday night.

The win takes Real Madrid level on points with Barcelona at the top of La Liga – though the Blaugrana have a better goal difference as well as a game in hand against Girona on Sunday evening.

But Mbappe kept Real’s dreams of retaining their La Liga title alive following another dazzling display on the night.

The deadlock was broken in the 32nd minute from the penalty spot following a cheeky Panenka down the middle of the goal by the Frenchman.

Leganes shook the feathers of the Spanish Champions with two quick goals in seven minutes before the break, with Ancelotti’s men almost in danger of losing their first league match in front of their home fans since October.

Jude Bellingham then pulled the host back level with 12 minutes into the second half -from that point on, it was Real who looked like doing another come-back – the “kings of come-back”.

Mbappe found the back of the net in the 76th minute with a stunning strike from 20 yards out from goal, completing the comeback to the delight of the home fans.

Although the goal is not Mbappe’s first free-kick goal of his career, it was his 33rd in all competitions for Real since arriving on a free transfer from Paris Saint Germain last summer.

Kylian Mbappe celebrates his second goal against Leganes in a 3-2 win encounter(Image credit: Manu Fernandez)

By scoring that goal, the Madrid forward has written himself into the club’s record books – equalling the tally set by Ronaldo (2009/10) and Ruud van Nistelrooy (in 2006/07)

Mbappe achieved the feat in his 45th appearance for Real – ten more matches than it took Ronaldo -though he beat Van Nistelrooy’s record by two games.

Only the Chilean legend Ivan Zamorano has scored more goals than Mbappe for Real in their debut season.

Speaking after the win over Leganes, Mbappe touched on his relationship with Ronaldo after matching his tally,

He said: “Me and Cristiano Ronaldo speak frequently. He gives me a lot of advice.

“I’m very happy to equal his goals in the first season, we know what he represents for all of us.

“But the really important thing is to WIN trophies with Real Madrid”.