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

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TALAVERA DE LA REINA, Spain, Dec 17 - Kylian Mbappe moved tantalisingly close to ‍Cristiano ​Ronaldos 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 Reys last 16 after a pulsating ​encounter.

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

Mbappe, who came into the game with 56 goals scored in all competitions in 2025, is now just 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. REUTERS