Real Madrid reacted to any lingering doubts after needing extra time to beat Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey on Thursday with a spectacular 4-1 win over Las Palmas that put them top of La Liga for the first time this season.
Los Blancos conceded without even touching the ball in the first minute — after another opposition move based on a cross behind — and captain Lucas Vazquez was again whistled but ended up receiving a standing ovation when he was substituted by Carlo Ancelotti in the 87th minute.
Kylian Mbappe’s first-half display and a great performance from Dani Ceballos paved the way for Real Madrid to move two points clear of Atletico Madrid — who lost 1-0 at Leganes — and seven ahead of Barcelona. And there was more good news as David Alaba returned, 399 days after his serious knee injury.
Mario Cortegana dissects the key talking points…
‘Devilish’ Mbappe back to his best
Few can now doubt that Mbappe is, if not at his best, then very close to it.
After the game against Athletic Club in early December, the player himself would later admit he “hit rock bottom”. But all that has evaporated, and Sunday was another demonstration of his impact with two goals and much, much more.
Since that game on December 4, Mbappe has been involved in nine goals (eight scored plus an assist) in nine appearances, averaging a goal involvement every 74.5 minutes.
You could see in the warm-up on Sunday he was very focused, reacting competitively when he couldn’t get a shot on goal. And then, especially until half time, he was brilliant.
“He was devilish, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen a player make such a difference to the rest,” Ceballos said in the mixed zone after the game.
With his team 1-0 down, Mbappe took the penalty won by Rodrygo. He has suffered a lot for his failures from the spot at Anfield and Bilbao and much was expected of him — especially without the injured Vinicius Junior, who was suspended yesterday. Mbappe rose to the occasion, picking up the ball immediately, scoring and then retrieving it from the net to lead the comeback.
(Angel Martinez/Getty Images)
Ancelotti explained afterwards that, with everyone available, the Frenchman will be the second penalty taker behind Vinicius Jr and ahead of Jude Bellingham.
Mbappe did not stop. The second goal came from a shot by him and he then made it 3-1, taking advantage of a pass from Rodrygo. The look on the faces of Ancelotti and his staff on the bench spoke volumes, as they have been saying in private in the last few weeks that if Mbappe is like this, the chances of winning the league are obviously very high.
Before half time Mbappe scored what would have been his first hat-trick in white, but it was disallowed by the VAR for an offside. Mbappe was angered to the point of encouraging complaints from the Bernabeu, who chanted the now-traditional, “Corruption in the federation!”. Two more goals were later disallowed, too.
Mbappe also started the play for Real Madrid’s fourth and almost assisted Bellingham with the outside of his boot, only to get in the way as they both tried to push a ball into the net (and laugh about it afterwards).
The former Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain man now has 12 goals in his first 18 La Liga games, compared to Cristiano Ronaldo’s 15 in the same period in 2009.
“Is he is the best player in the world? The best centre-forward in the world,” Ancelotti said, adding: “People doubted that he could play as a nine and said it was better to put him on the left…”
How wrong they were, it seems.
Step forward Ceballos
Ceballos has gone from asking to leave on two occasions during last summer to enjoying what people close to him consider his most enjoyable time at Real Madrid.
That is probably why he responded to the continuous rumours linking him with Real Betis, the team of his childhood and his heart; insisting that he will finish the season with Los Blancos.
Last season he played 892 minutes and this season he has already played 912 — with nine starts, seven of them since December.
He was everywhere yesterday, both in attack and defence. He registered three chances created, five tackles won, one defensive block, six interceptions, 10 recoveries and only missed six of 72 passes.
The Bernabeu chanted his name twice during the match and a third time, with the crowd on its feet, when Ancelotti changed him. He was grateful and put his hand to his heart.
(Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“Today was a typical game where everything you make go well,” he said afterwards. “I’m grateful to the fans for recognising me.”
Ceballos also gave a nod to his coach when asked about the criticism of Ancelotti. “Well, he’s the coach with the most titles in the history of Real Madrid,” he said.
Alaba’s emotional return
Alaba injured his anterior cruciate ligament on 17 December, 2023 against Villarreal. Thirteen months, a surgery and an unscheduled arthroscopy later, he felt like a footballer again yesterday.
The plan was for him to play if Real Madrid were winning and the game was under control.
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As Ancelotti suggested yesterday, the plan is for David Alaba to play a few minutes at the end of the game today if Real Madrid are winning and the match is under control.@TheAthleticFC https://t.co/VobrJbWEth
— Mario Cortegana (@MarioCortegana) January 19, 2025
So it was no surprise that there was a growing murmur in the stadium in the 58th minute, as fans began to realise that the Austrian was starting to warm up. Some exercises were different from those of his other team-mates, including one with ribbons.
In the 76th minute, after receiving instructions and affection from the staff and his team-mates, Alaba was back on a football pitch in a meaningful match.
(Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
He pointed to the sky, Fede Valverde came over to give him love even before he came on, Ceballos gave him a high five and Bellingham, like Raul Asencio, walked over to support him.
After the game, Ancelotti went straight onto the pitch to celebrate his comeback with the centre-back. But Bellingham left the most beautiful image, with a heartfelt hug.
“Welcome back my brother @davidalaba !!!! After more than a year we’ve missed you so much, your positivity every single day despite the pain and adversity you’ve faced has been unbelievable to see, you deserve this,” wrote the Englishman on Instagram afterwards.
After a lap of honour to thank the Bernabeu, the coaching staff and physios who have played a key role in his difficult recovery were waiting for Alaba on his way to the tunnel.
Vuelta de honor de Alaba. @TheAthleticFC pic.twitter.com/cu1SK6LpJa
— Mario Cortegana (@MarioCortegana) January 19, 2025
Once inside, he was surrounded by everyone, including Vinicius Jr, Eder Militao and the president himself, Florentino Perez.
Real Madrid are back in action on Wednesday in Champions League against Salzburg.
(Top photo: Guillermo Martinez)
