Mbappe edges closer to Ronaldo record as Real survive Copa del Rey test

TALAVERA DE LA REINA, Spain, Dec 17 : Kylian Mbappe moved tantalisingly close to Cristiano Ronaldo's calendar-year scoring record for Real Madrid with a brace as they earned a 3-2 victory at third-tier Talavera de la Reina on Wednesday to reach the Copa del Rey's last 16 after a pulsating encounter.

The French striker's two goals, combined with an own-goal by defender Manuel Farrando, proved enough despite strikes from Nahuel Arroyo and Gonzalo Di Renzo that threatened to spoil Real's evening in front of a raucous crowd.

Mbappe, who came into the game with 56 goals scored in all competitions in 2025, is now one goal shy of the 59-goal calendar-year record set by Ronaldo in 2013.

With one match still to play this year - on Saturday against struggling Sevilla in LaLiga at Santiago Bernabeu - the French forward could surpass the Portuguese great.

In front of 4,000 passionate supporters in Castilla-La Mancha, Real Madrid dominated the early stages, with young talents Endrick, Arda Guler and Gonzalo Garcia combining well alongside Mbappe.

However, they were repeatedly thwarted by Talavera's inspired goalkeeper Jaime Gonzalez.

With coach Xabi Alonso resting first-choice stars, including Vinicius Jr, Jude Bellingham and Thibaut Courtois, Madrid looked to Mbappe for inspiration.

Fran Garcia's header was denied by a brilliant goal-line clearance from Alvaro Lopez in the 39th minute, but controversy followed seconds later.

Referee Guillermo Cuadra penalised the hosts' Marcos Moreno for handball after what appeared to be contact created by Madrid's Alvaro Carreras during a tussle in the box. 

With no VAR until the Copa del Rey's last 16, the decision stood, and Mbappe converted the penalty in the 41st minute to move closer to Ronaldo's