Talavera v Real Madrid
Real Madrid beat Talavera in Copa as Mbappé closes on Ronaldo record
Real Madrid avoided a seismic shock in the Copa del Rey with a scrappy 3-2 victory over fourth-tier Talavera.
The minnows successfully frustrated Xabi Alonso's side for 40 minutes -- and twice went close to an opener -- before Kylian Mbappé scored from the penalty spot and forced an own goal before half-time to seemingly settle the tie.
But Nahuel Arroyo pulled one back for the hosts and, after Mbappé scored his second, responded again through Gonzalo Di Renzo's stoppage-time free kick and were only denied extra-time by a brilliant last-minute save from Andriy Lunin.
The two goals helped Mbappé move to within one goal of Cristiano Ronaldo's Madrid record for goals in a calendar year of 59. The France star now has 58 with one game to play in 2025 -- on Saturday against Sevilla.
It was another unconvincing display from under-pressure Alonso's side, who showed nine changes from the 2-1 win at Alaves at the weekend with only Mbappé and Arda Güler keeping their places.
Talavera almost took an 18th-minute lead when Pitu's cross was headed goalwards by Marcos Moreno and Lunin had to palm the ball behind for a corner.
Madrid responded with a flurry of chances, with Endrick, Gonzalo García and Dani Ceballos going close.
But hearts were in mouths again for the visitors when a ball forward bounced nicely for Di Renzo to fire narrowly wide of Lunin's right-hand post.
The hosts could not get to the interval on level terms, though. Moreno handled in the area when trying to head clear and Mbappé sent goalkeeper Jaime Gonzalez the wrong way from the spot.
Mbappé brilliantly created the second, charging into the area down the Madrid left before his cross was sliced into his own net by Manuel Farrando.
Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham were sent on for the closing stages as Alonso looked to make sure of a place in the last 16, but Talavera pulled one back with 10 minutes left when Arroyo slotted home at the back post.
Gonzalez let Mbappé's shot through his grasp in the 88th minute but the hosts responded in stoppage time when Di Renzo fired in a 25-yard free kick.
And they almost grabbed a remarkable equaliser, but Isaiah Navarro's header was clawed away by Lunin as Real survived.
Information from PA was used in this recap.
Game Information
- Referees:
- Guillermo Cuadra Fernández

