Real Madrid: At the Summit with Mbappe

Vinicius scored once, and Kylian Mbappe secured a double, enabling Real Madrid to easily defeat the challenging Levante side ahead of the upcoming Madrid derby against Atletico this weekend.

In the end, the stars appeared to come together, especially considering the first goal by the young prospect Franco Mastantuono for his new club. Yet, Real's win was expected, as was Mbappe’s shining performance.

The French Maestro

Throughout the entire first half at Ciudad de Valencia, Mbappe seemed absent or showed no signs that this would be his night. He was overshadowed for most of the time by Vinicius’s explosive performance, who scored a goal and assisted Mastantuono’s strike.

However, the superstar’s moment arrived in the second half, when the team needed him most, after Levante had reduced the deficit to 1-2 and were close to equalizing. Mbappe was not just present; he ignited the pent-up energy within himself and the whole squad. First, he won a penalty and converted it successfully himself. A minute later, he brilliantly finished a one-on-one chance against the home goalkeeper. Mbappe’s two-minute burst sealed the game at 4-1 in Real’s favor.

The goal-scoring streak of the number 10 is largely thanks to the momentum he has built since the start of the season. This is mainly reflected in the penalty situation. A beautifully executed Panenka-style penalty clearly shows he can face any challenge right now. It was penalties that dragged him into a career slump at Real last season, after missing two in a row at Anfield and San Mames. This season, he boasts an impressive record with four successful penalty conversions. This achievement also ended the debate over who should take penalties, which had lasted throughout the previous season.

The French forward only ranked seventh in the 2025 Ballon d’Or voting. However, he is solidifying his position as the top contender for next year’s award. Real’s number 10 has switched to Ronaldo mode, having exploded onto the scene this season with unstoppable speed and power. Against Levante, he scored another brace, his third this season after matches against Oviedo and Marseille, raising his total goals to nine in seven games across La Liga and the Champions League. His scoring rate per match confirms his peak form, averaging 1.17 goals per game.