Mbappé penalty sparks Real Madrid's 3-0 win at Santander amid Catalan press fury

Real Madrid won 3-0 away at Racing Santander in the eleventh round of LaLiga, with all three goals arriving in the first half at El Sardinero. José Mourinho's side were never threatened and moved to within three points of leaders Barcelona.

Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the eleventh minute, playing his first match after a turbulent week that included a second-place finish at the Ballon d'Or — awarded to Bayern Munich's Harry Kane — and a diplomatic row triggered by a social media video in which he joked about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. Jude Bellingham doubled the lead in the 22nd minute, and Yan Diomandé added the third shortly afterwards.

Bellingham's goal was the 50th of his Real Madrid career, reached in 154 appearances. According to talkSPORT, that milestone eclipses a record previously held by Zinedine Zidane, achieved in 73 fewer games than the Frenchman needed.

The result was not without controversy: Catalan media were sharply critical of the penalty award, with outlets describing it as a simulation by Mbappé, according to RMC Sport. The refereeing decisions are likely to fuel the ongoing rivalry narrative between Madrid and Barcelona.