Mbappe strikes, tows Real Madrid

MADRID, Spain (AFP) — Spanish champions Real Madrid beat Getafe, 2-0, to move second in La Liga with Kylian Mbappe finding the net after a difficult week, but also missing other presentable chances.

The French striker has been criticized for his form of late, but after Jude Bellingham opened the scoring from the penalty spot, Mbappe slotted home a well-taken second.

Mbappe wasted three other clear opportunities but Madrid were able to climb within one point of league leaders Barcelona, who lost on Saturday at home against Las Palmas.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois compared the striker to a bottle struggling to disperse its contents.

“I’m sure he will end up scoring a lot more goals, sometimes it’s like a bottle that’s a bit blocked when it all starts coming out at once, I think a lot more goals will follow,” Courtois said.

‘(Mbappe) played very well, he was active, dangerous as always.’

“That some (chances) didn’t go in is a shame for him... but his goal in the first half is incredible, with that position to get a shot on goal and put it away like that is very hard.”

Carlo Ancelotti’s side have played one fewer game than the Catalans, and Atletico Madrid, third, who are one point behind.

“(Mbappe) played very well, he was active, dangerous as always,” Ancelotti said.

“He scored an important goal, he created chances in the second half and had a very active game, it’s what we want from him.”

Mbappe, playing in his favored role on the left with Vinicius Junior out injured, was offered plenty of support by Madrid’s fans.

“The fans understand more than anyone what moment the team is in, and the players (are in),” Ancelotti added.

Getafe set out to slow the game down and they largely succeeded until Allan Nyom tugged down Antonio Rudiger in the area after half an hour.

After Mbappe missed his penalty against Liverpool in the Champions League defeat at Anfield on Wednesday, Bellingham stepped up to take the spot-kick.

The England international outfoxed David Soria to send Madrid ahead on the half-hour with his third goal in three league games.