The race for the top scorer's crown has been going on since the first rounds. Robert Lewandowski dealt a powerful blow last weekend, finding the net twice in the match against Villarreal (5-1). He could have scored a hat-trick, but his penalty kick was blocked by the post. However, his six goals this season gave him a one-goal advantage over team-mate Raphinha and two over Kylian Mbappe.
Mbappe wants to catch up with Lewandowski
As for the Frenchman, he has started to get going a bit after a poor start to the season. Admittedly, with a fair share of his goals coming from penalties, but still. Now it's time for a midweek round of La Liga. Real Madrid took on Deportivo Alaves at home, who started the season quite well. Ten points from seven games is a solid result, although of course Real were the clear favourites.
Which he brutally proved. Expressly, because in the first minute Lucas Vazquez hit the rivals' net. He finished off an effective action by Vinicius Junior perfectly with a powerful shot from a few meters. The next goal had to wait longer, until the 40th minute, but that's when he scored. Kylian Mbappe. He drove the action with a backheel pass to Jude Bellingham, who played it back after one touch, and the Frenchman deceived the defender and sent the ball past the helpless goalkeeper.
Mbappe's goal was supposed to bring peace. No way!
Real had everything under control then, but added another goal after the break. It was Rodrygo who in the 48th minute “drove” into the Deportivo penalty area at full speed and with a strong, flat shot increased the score to 3:0. It seemed that this had deprived the opponents of hope, but nothing could be further from the truth! Because in two minutes something completely unexpected happened, namely two goals for the guests! In the 85th minute Carlos Benavidez shot beautifully from outside the penalty area, and a minute later Kike beat Courtois from a sharper angle.
A calm evening turned into a nervous one. Deportivo pressed until the end, even closing Real in their half, but in the end they did not score a third goal. The hosts won, Kylian Mbappe is now only one goal behind Robert Lewandowski in the top scorers' standings. The Pole will have a chance to respond on Wednesday, September 25, at 9:00 p.m. Barcelona will play at home with Getafe.
La Liga top scorers standings (as of September 24, 2024):
- 1. Robert Lewandowski (FC Barcelona) – 6 goals
- 2. Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid) – 5 goals
- 2. Raphinha (FC Barcelona) – 5 goals
- 4. Ayoze Perez (Villareal) – 4 goals
- 5. Lamine Yamal (FC Barcelona) – 3 goals
- 5. Iago Aspas (Celta Vigo) – 3 goals
- 5. Vinicius Junior (Real Madrid) – 3 goals
- 5. Sandro Ramirez (Las Palmas) – 3 goals
- 5. Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo) – 3 goals
- 5. Dani Olmo (FC Barcelona) – 3 goals
- 5. Javi Puado (Espanyol) – 3 goals
- 5. Oihan Sancet (Athletic Bilbao) – 3 goals
- 5. Rodrygo (Real Madrid) – 3 goals