{
  "id": 7048578,
  "title": "Mbappe scores brace as Real Madrid get 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/mbappe-scores-brace-as-real-madrid-get-4-1-victory-over-rayo-vallecano",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-13T01:27:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Japan Times",
    "slug": "japan-times",
    "url": "https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2026/09/13/soccer/mbappe-real-madrid-rayo-vallecano/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Kylian Mbappe netted two goals as Real Madrid secured a 4-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium on Saturday. The French forward scored his sixth goal of the season in the 14th minute following a penalty awarded after Rayo defender Florian Lejeune committed a foul on Alvaro Carreras. Just three minutes later, Carreras found the back of the net with a pass from Mbappe, who had received the ball from Vinicius Junior after a mistake by Lejeune. Wingers Vinicius and Yan Diomande, making his debut for Real Madrid since his arrival in August, had ample opportunity to score and capitalized with goals in the 34th minute. Mbappe, however, struck the crossbar late in the first half, though Real Madrid's goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois managed to keep a clean sheet, preventing further damage. The first half saw Rayo's Pedro Diaz hit the post, but the visitors managed to pull one back in the 51st minute when Sergio Camello took advantage of a giveaway and a mistake by Ibrahima Konate to score. Rayo was now controlling possession in the Real Madrid half, keeping Courtois busy. With 13 minutes left on the clock, Real Madrid's Denzel Dumfries made a spectacular save from goalkeeper Emil Audero after connecting with substitute Arda Guler's cross. Mbappe sealed the win with a counter-attack goal in the 91st minute, bringing his goal tally to seven goals in six games across all competitions. The result left Real Madrid on 12 points, level with leaders Barcelona, who will face Levante on Sunday. Espanyol triumphed 2-0 against Osasuna with two goals from Roberto Fernandez, while Racing Santander staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Alaves 2-1. Elche took the lead at San Mames through a second-half penalty from Facundo Buonanotte, but Athletic Club's Inaki Williams equalized with 11 minutes remaining, resulting in a 1-1 draw.",
  "summary": "The result put Real Madrid level with leaders Barcelona who play Levante on Sunday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Mbappe scores brace as Real Madrid secure routine victory over Rayo Vallecano",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/mbappe-scores-brace-as-real-madrid-secure-routine-victory-over-rayo",
        "published": "2026-09-12T21:15:21.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "El Pais",
        "title": "Real Madrid cannot afford a slip-up against Rayo Vallecano",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/el-real-madrid-no-perdona-un-desliz-ante-el-rayo-vallecano",
        "published": "2026-09-12T21:22:46.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Mbappe hits double as Real Madrid sink Rayo",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/12/mbappe-hits-double-as-real-madrid-sink-rayo",
        "published": "2026-09-12T21:37:55.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Malay Mail",
        "title": "Mbappe’s double keeps his Ballon d’Or case alive as Madrid go top",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/mbappes-double-keeps-his-ballon-dor-case-alive-as-madrid-go-top",
        "published": "2026-09-13T02:03:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Nation Africa",
        "title": "Why Africa keeps missing the Ballon d’Or as Yaya opens new frontier",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/13/why-africa-keeps-missing-the-ballon-dor-as-yaya-opens-new-frontier",
        "published": "2026-09-13T03:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}