Real Madrid Holds Third Place As Mbappé Adds 12th Goal

Kylian Mbappé has scored 12 league goals this season, a total that helped Real Madrid secure a 3-0 victory over Racing Santander on Sunday. The win keeps the Spanish champion within striking distance of Barcelona, the current league leader.

The match featured a penalty kick by Mbappé in the 11th minute after he was fouled. Midfielder Jude Bellingham added a goal midway through the first half with Mbappé involved in the play. Summer signing Yan Diomandé struck a powerful shot before halftime to seal the result.

In Italy, Lazio took control of Serie A by finishing 3-1 against Cagliari. The victory allowed Lazio to move three points ahead of defending champion Inter Milan, who lost to AC Milan on Saturday. Striker Andrea Pinamonti, entering as a second-half substitute, scored the decisive goal in the 83rd minute.

Pinamonti removed his jersey in celebration after the late winner. Earlier in the match, M’Bala Nzola had put Cagliari ahead in the 21st minute. Gustav Isaksen equalized for Lazio late in the first half to set up the late finish.

Back in Madrid, the club is currently in third place. It trails Atletico Madrid by one point and Barcelona by three points. The Spanish league observed a moment of silence before matches this weekend to honor the victims of a deadly train crash.

Mbappé’s recent form comes amid off-field attention. He finished second to Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane in the men’s Ballon d’Or award on Friday. On Tuesday, he apologized for comments referring to Mao Zedong as a dictator, a remark that led to backlash and the loss of brand deals with Chinese companies.

Other results included a 3-1 win for Getafe over Sevilla, where Martín Satriano set up a goal and scored himself. In Italy, Como defeated Venezia 1-0, and Frosinone won 2-0 against Torino to solidify its sixth-place standing.