Mbappé's Brace Saves Real Madrid in Nail-Biting 3-2 Thriller Against Talavera!

In a dramatic Copa del Rey round of 32 clash, Real Madrid narrowly defeated third-tier CF Talavera 3-2 on December 17, 2025, at Estadio El Prado in Talavera de la Reina, Spain. Kylian Mbappé's brace proved decisive as Xabi Alonso's star-studded side avoided a shocking upset against the underdogs.

Talavera, competing in Spain's third division, put up a valiant fight, taking the lead and leveling the score before Real Madrid's quality shone through. Mbappé opened the scoring for the visitors before Talavera responded to make it 1-1. The hosts then surged ahead, putting immense pressure on Real Madrid, but the French superstar struck twice more to secure passage to the next round.

The match, which kicked off at 21:00 CET (03:00 PM EST), showcased Talavera's resilience against a La Liga giant. Real Madrid, despite dominating possession, struggled to break down the resolute defense early on. Highlights from the game, including Mbappé's clinical finishes, have gone viral, amassing thousands of views on platforms like YouTube.

Xabi Alonso's tactical setup was tested, with confirmed lineups revealing a rotated squad featuring key stars like Mbappé and Rodrygo. Fans praised the underdogs' performance, drawing parallels to classic cup fairy tales, though Real Madrid's experience prevailed in the end.

This victory keeps Real Madrid's Copa del Rey dreams alive amid a packed schedule. Talavera exits with heads held high, having given Europe's elite a stern test.