Mbappe closes in on Ronaldo record as Real Madrid survive Copa del Rey fright

Mbappe is a goal away from Ronaldo's calendar-year record
Mbappe is a goal away from Ronaldo's calendar-year recordREUTERS / Susana Vera

Kylian Mbappe moved tantalisingly close to ​Cristiano Ronaldo's 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 Rey's last ‌16 after a pulsating encounter.

The French ​striker's 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 Real's 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.

Check out stats from the match here

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