Mbappé Brace and Late Drama Propel Real Madrid to Copa del Rey Round of 16

Key Takeaways:

• Real Madrid secured a 3:2 victory over Talavera de la Reina in the Copa del Rey Round of 32
• Kylian Mbappé scored twice, including a decisive second-half goal last night
• Andriy Lunin made a crucial stoppage-time save to ensure Real Madrid’s progression

Match Overview

Real Madrid booked their place in the Copa del Rey Round of 16 with a hard-fought 3:2 win away at Talavera de la Reina, surviving a dramatic conclusion after appearing in control for much of the contest. The visiting side looked set for a routine victory after establishing a two-goal cushion before half-time, but the hosts produced a spirited late fightback to push Los Blancos to the limit.

Line-ups and Team Selections

The home side deployed Marcos Moreno and Gonzalo Di Renzo as their strike partnership, with Luis Sanchez and Eduardo Rodriguez operating on the flanks. Isaya Navarro and Pitu formed the double pivot in midfield.

Real Madrid, led by Xabi Alonso, lined up with Endrick, Kylian Mbappé, and Gonzalo Garcia spearheading the attack. The midfield trio comprised Arda Güler, Dani Ceballos, and Franco Mastantuono.

🏁 FT: @CFTalavera 2-3 @RealMadridEN
⚽ 41' @KMbappe (p.)
⚽ 45'+1' Manu Farrando (o.g.)
⚽ 80' Nahuel
⚽ 88' @KMbappe
⚽ 90'+1' Di Renzo@Emirates pic.twitter.com/EJqtpxCVGR

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) December 17, 2025

First Half: Early Chances and Madrid’s Momentum

Real Madrid wasted little time asserting themselves, with Mbappé forcing a one-on-one situation in the 3rd minute but missing the opportunity. Talavera’s early penalty claim, after Di Renzo was pushed near the goal in the 5th minute, was dismissed by the match official.

Both sides continued to generate chances. Endrick saw a penalty appeal denied in the 16th minute, before Talavera’s Marcos Moreno tested Andriy Lunin with a close-range header three minutes later. Key chances followed on both ends, with the likes of Endrick, Dani Ceballos, and Franco Mastantuono threatening for the visitors, while Talavera demonstrated their intent with a powerful low drive from Di Renzo in the 34th minute.

The deadlock was ultimately broken in the 41st minute when Real Madrid were awarded a disputed penalty for handball, which Kylian Mbappé converted. The advantage was doubled on the stroke of half-time after Manuel Farando diverted a Mbappé cross into his own net.

Second Half: Madrid’s Misses and Talavera’s Fightback

The second period began with Madrid searching for a decisive third goal, including a missed one-on-one by Mbappé and further efforts from Arda Güler and David Jimenez. Talavera, however, refused to go quietly. The hosts’ first major chance after the interval came in the 69th minute, with Pitu firing over from inside the area.

Talavera narrowed the gap in the 80th minute, when Nahuel Arroyo finished off a precise low ball from Manuel Farando. Lunin kept Real ahead with a critical save from a Di Renzo header in the 87th minute, but Mbappé soon struck again, making it 3:1 with a low shot from distance in the 88th minute after Jaime Gonzalez failed to keep it out.

Late drama followed. Talavera found the net for a second time in the 92nd minute as Isaya Navarro’s free kick rebounded off the bar, allowing Di Renzo to convert for 2:3. In the 94th minute, Navarro nearly completed a remarkable comeback with a dangerous header, but Lunin produced an outstanding save to preserve Real Madrid’s lead.

Statistics

Conclusion

Despite squandering several opportunities to put the match out of sight, Real Madrid ultimately survived a thrilling late surge from Talavera de la Reina to secure a 3:2 victory and progress to the Round of 16 in the Copa del Rey. Talavera can take great pride in their valiant performance against one of Spanish football’s giants, while Real advance with lessons to consider ahead of their next challenge in the competition.