Kylian Mbappe’s first two goals in La Liga helped Real Madrid claim a much-needed victory over Real Betis on Sunday night.

After a slow start, things got exciting when Betis custodian Silva had to make a great save. It was Eder Militao’s job to head Rodrygo’s corner kick towards goal, but Silva pushed it away from danger.

The Madrid attack was still stuttering because Vinicius and Mbappe often wanted to attack from the same spot on the pitch, but there were also times when the two superstars worked well together. Mbappe got past two players, found Vinicius, and then ran into the box himself, but the 25-year-old couldn’t quite connect with the cross.

The last few seconds before halftime, Rodrygo had another close call for Madrid. He got to the byline but his shot got caught in the side net.

After the start of the second half, Mbappe hit a crazy shot over the bar from only eight yards out. However, he saved face by scoring Madrid’s first two goals in La Liga to win the game.

In the end, Federico Valverde’s skilled back heel scored the first goal in the 67th minute. That nice flick helped Mbappe race clear and finish with confidence, which made the Bernabeu go crazy.

Extra player Brahim Diaz helped set up the first goal and then again for the second. The Moroccan player moved through the middle of the field and passed the ball to Vinicius, who ran towards goal, touched the ball past Silva, and went down. At first, the offside call was ignored, but the video aid referee quickly stepped in and gave a penalty.

Instead of Vinicius taking the penalty kick like he did last time against Las Palmas, Mbappe stepped up and scored his second goal of the night to seal all three points.

GK: Thibaut Courtois – 7/10 – Didn’t make loads of saves but had to be constantly aware and did enough to deserve his clean sheet.

RB: Dani Carvajal – 5/10 – Didn’t have the most enjoyable evening against Abde Ezzalzouli and eventually talked his way into a yellow card.

CB: Eder Militao – 7/10 – Looked a real danger in the attacking third from set pieces but did his job at the other end well, using his body whenever Betis tried to catch him or Rudiger off guard.

CB: Antonio Rudiger – 7/10 – Rarely came out of a duel on the losing side, keeping Madrid penned in Betis’ half.

LB: Ferland Mendy – 7/10 – Didn’t lose a ground duel and successfully won three tackles.

CM: Federico Valverde – 7/10 – Provided a sublime assist for Mbappe’s first goal and, as ever, did not stop running.

CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 6/10 – Was always on hand to mop up any loose ball in midfield and protected Militao and Rudiger with some good wins in the air, too.

RW: Rodrygo – 7/10 – Whipped in some dangerous set pieces and was dangerous running with the ball at his feet, even though the scoring opportunity never quite dropped for him.

AM: Dani Ceballos – 6/10 – Handed something of a surprise start, Ceballos was neat and tidy without offering too much in either box.

LW: Vinicius Junior – 8/10 – His incessant running was a constant thorn in Betis’ back, eventually winning Madrid the chance to go 2-0 up which Mbappe took.

ST: Kylian Mbappe – 9/10 – Struck for the first time in La Liga by finishing smartly from Valverde’s flick before converting his penalty. He’ll be netting a lot more in the top flight before he leaves Spain.

Substitutes

SUB: Brahim Diaz (65′ for Ceballos) – 7/10

SUB: Fran Garcia (66′ for Mendy) – 6/10

SUB: Luka Modric (85′ for Mbappe) – N/A

SUB: Endrick (89′ for Rodrygo) – N/A

Subs not used: Andriy Lunin (GK), Arda Guler, Endrick, Lucas Vazquez, Fran Gonzalez, Jacobo Ramon.

Manager

Carlo Ancelotti – 6/10 – It looks like he may need to figure out how to get the best out of Vinicius and Mbappe while making sure they don’t play in the same places, but a win’s a win and Ancelotti will be content with that for now.

Player of the match: Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)