By ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: 22:14 GMT, 20 December 2025 | Updated: 22:29 GMT, 20 December 2025
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) - Kylian Mbappé scored his 59th goal for Real Madrid in 2025 on Saturday to equal the club record for the most in a year held by Cristiano Ronaldo.
The milestone was about to escape the France striker until he converted a penalty kick with four minutes left to complete a 2-0 win over 10-man Sevilla in Madrid's final game of the year.
Mbappé matched Ronaldo´s tally from 2013. After embracing his teammates, he marked the feat with a subdued version of Ronaldo´s trademark goal celebration before blowing a kiss at the television cameras.
The former Paris Saint-Germain star, who joined Madrid in the summer of 2024, has scored 29 times for Madrid this season, including a league-leading 18.
Jude Bellingham scored with a header in the 38th minute and Sevilla lost defender Marcao to a second booking for rash tackles with 20 minutes left. Sevilla coach Matías Almeyda also was expelled by the referee during the halftime break.
Alonso has been under pressure for several weeks due to a run of bad results and the overall lackluster play of his star-studded side. Spanish sports media is rife with speculation the first-year coach could be replaced.
Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe celebrates after scoring his sides second goal from the penalty spot during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Now Madrid club president Florentino Pérez will have two weeks to ponder the team´s future before its next game against Real Betis on Jan. 4.
Alonso could have ill afforded another slip at the Santiago Bernabeu after his side lost its previous two games. But Madrid's fans still had reason to grumble after Sevilla repeatedly created scoring chances - even after being reduced to 10 men.
Alexis Sánchez, still spry at age 37, and right back Juanlu Sánchez stood out the most for a Sevilla side that poked holes in Madrid´s defense.
Madrid needed Thibaut Courtois to deny Alexis, Isaac Romero and Alfonso González on four strikes in the second half. But Sevilla could have gone ahead if it had just showed more finishing touch early on.
The result was still in doubt until Mbappé converted his spot kick after Juanlu fouled Rodrygo in the area.
Madrid is in second place at one point behind Barcelona before the leader [visits third-placed Villarreal](https://apnews.com/article/laliga-preview-barcelona-villarreal-xabi-alonso-16772cf6aa2f3a5930d55961c518db71) on Sunday.
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Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe blows a kiss towards the TV camera as he celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham, celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)
Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso looks out from the dugout ahead of the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Sevilla in Madrid, Spain, Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)