Kylian Mbappe marked his 27th birthday in spectacular fashion, equalling a legendary Real Madrid record set by his idol, Cristiano Ronaldo. The French superstar netted a late penalty in a 2-0 victory over Sevilla to draw level with Ronaldo's haul of 59 goals in a single calendar year for the club.
A Hard-Fought Victory at the Bernabeu
The match was far from a straightforward affair for Xabi Alonso's side. Sevilla posed significant threats early on, with Isaac Romero missing a clear chance that drew whistles from the anxious home crowd. Real Madrid struggled to create clear opportunities, and it took a header from Jude Bellingham seven minutes before half-time to break the deadlock and settle nerves.
Sevilla's task became harder when defender Marcao received a second yellow card, reducing them to ten men with 22 minutes remaining. Despite the numerical advantage, Real relied heavily on goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who made crucial saves to deny Alexis Sanchez and Romero, keeping his clean sheet intact.
Mbappe's Moment of History
For much of the game, the birthday boy endured frustration, missing several chances and even seeing a header crash against the crossbar. The decisive moment arrived four minutes from time when Juanlu Sanchez fouled Rodrygo in the penalty area. Mbappe stepped up and coolly converted the spot-kick for his 59th goal in as many games across all competitions in 2025.
In an iconic celebration, Mbappe immediately imitated Cristiano Ronaldo's famous 'Siu' jump, honouring the man he has frequently called his idol. He thought he had a chance to break the record outright moments later when another penalty was initially awarded, but a VAR review overturned the decision.
League Standings and Looking Ahead
The win sees Real Madrid end 2025 on a high note with three consecutive victories across all competitions. They remain second in the LaLiga standings on 42 points, just one point behind rivals Barcelona. Sevilla sit ninth with 20 points.
Mbappe's achievement cements his status as a modern great at the Santiago Bernabeu, matching a benchmark set by Cristiano Ronaldo back in 2013. With the record now shared, all eyes will be on the French forward to see if he can claim it outright in the new year.
