Mbappé Scores, Then Exits with Apparent Ankle Injury as Real Madrid Claims La Liga Lead
MADRID (AP) – Kylian Mbappé scored his 14th goal in 10 games to put Real Madrid ahead, but then limped off the pitch with an apparent right ankle injury during a 4-1 victory over Villarreal on Sunday, sending a worrying sign for the Champions League contenders. The win moved Madrid two points clear of defending champion Barcelona at the top of La Liga.
Mbappé’s 81st-minute goal extended Madrid’s lead, but moments later he sat down clutching his ankle and signaled to the bench that he couldn’t continue. He departed unassisted and went straight down the tunnel for further evaluation. The extent of the injury remains unknown.
Vinícius Júnior had earlier given Madrid the lead in the 47th minute,cutting in from the left and scoring with a low strike that deflected off Santi Comesaña. He then converted a 69th-minute penalty, awarded after being fouled, despite Mbappé typically taking spot-kicks for the team.
Villarreal’s Georges Mikautadze briefly pulled a goal back in the 73rd minute with a shot from 20 meters, but Santiago Mouriño’s red card four minutes later for a second yellow card effectively sealed Villarreal’s fate.
Elsewhere in La Liga on Sunday, Girona beat Valencia 2-1 to move off the bottom of the table, while Athletic Bilbao defeated Mallorca 2-1, sending Mallorca to the foot of the league. Levante also secured a 2-0 win at Oviedo. Barcelona can reclaim the La Liga lead with a win at Sevilla on Sunday,but will be without star winger Lamine Yamal due to a pubic injury.
