Kylian Mbappé struck a hat-trick as Real Madrid cruised to a 5-0 victory over debutants Kairat in the UEFA Champions League league phase on Tuesday, bouncing back from their derby defeat against Atlético Madrid.
Gatekeepers News reports that Madrid, record 15-time winners of the competition, travelled over 7,000 kilometres to Kazakhstan but showed no signs of fatigue as Xabi Alonso’s side dominated from start to finish. Mbappé opened the scoring in the 25th minute from the penalty spot after 18-year-old goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza clumsily fouled Franco Mastantuono.
The French forward added a second just after the break, running onto a long clearance from Thibaut Courtois before delicately dinking the ball over the young goalkeeper. “It was an enormous pass worth 80 percent of the goal, and I added the other 20 percent,” Mbappé said.
The 25-year-old completed his treble late on after being set up by Arda Güler, while Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Díaz also found the net to round off Madrid’s emphatic win. Mbappé, who now has 13 goals in nine matches this season, admitted he still expects more from himself despite his hat-trick.
“My work is helping the team win. If I have five chances, I want to score five goals — that’s why Real Madrid bought me. I’ll work to be better, to score more goals, and to be more efficient in front of goal,” he said.
Kairat, who qualified by knocking out Celtic, struggled against Madrid’s quality despite the energy of their young side and came close only when 17-year-old forward Dastan Satpayev fired a free-kick narrowly wide. Their brief hope of a penalty was dashed when VAR overturned a foul given against Dani Ceballos.
After the match, Alonso praised Mbappé’s decisive display. “He’s clinical in front of goal and decisive in practically every game. Not just for the goals, but for his influence and quality. He can have a spectacular season,” the Madrid coach said.
