Kylian Mbappe returned to form on Sunday as Real Madrid defeated Getafe 2-0 to climb to second place in La Liga. The French forward, who faced criticism for recent performances, delivered a stunning strike after Jude Bellingham’s penalty opened the scoring at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The match began with Getafe aiming to disrupt Madrid’s rhythm, successfully slowing down the game until a pivotal moment in the first half. Allan Nyom’s foul on Antonio Rudiger led to a penalty, confidently converted by Bellingham in the 30th minute. The English midfielder, who has now scored in three consecutive league games, deceived goalkeeper David Soria with a composed finish.

Seven minutes later, Mbappe showcased his brilliance with a spectacular solo effort. After receiving the ball from Bellingham on the left flank, the French captain cut inside and curled a low shot into the far corner, marking his eighth league goal of the season. Despite missing three subsequent opportunities, Mbappe’s contribution was crucial in securing Madrid’s third consecutive league win.

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Carlo Ancelotti’s side, now just one point behind leaders Barcelona, hold a game in hand over both the Catalans and third-placed Atletico Madrid. Barcelona’s shock 2-1 loss to Las Palmas on Saturday opened the door for Madrid to close the gap in the title race.

The second half saw fewer goals but plenty of drama. Bellingham, subbed off at halftime due to a minor knock, was replaced as a precaution. Meanwhile, Mbappe’s creativity shone again as he delivered a chipped pass to Brahim Diaz, whose shot narrowly missed the target.

Mbappe came close to doubling his tally but saw his shot roll just wide after rounding Soria. Fede Valverde was also denied by an impressive save from the Getafe goalkeeper, while John Patrick struck the woodwork for the visitors in their closest attempt to score.

Despite a few missed chances in stoppage time, Mbappe’s goal underlined his importance to the squad following his summer move from Paris Saint-Germain. Madrid will look to maintain momentum as they face Athletic Bilbao midweek, aiming to keep the pressure on Barcelona in the race for La Liga glory.