Mbappé, Bellingham respond with goals in Madrid's win over Getafe

MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé made some peace with Real Madrid’s fans.

Mbappé scored in Madrid's 2-0 win over Getafe in the Spanish league on Sunday to help ease the pressure on the France star.

Mbappé, who has been criticized by some supporters because of his disappointing performances since joining the Spanish powerhouse this season, found the net in the 38th minute to seal Madrid’s victory at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Mbappé was coming off a lackluster outing — which included a missed penalty kick — against Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Jude Bellingham, also the target of some fans’ criticism for recent poor play, had put Madrid ahead by converting a 30th-minute penalty. He also assisted in Mbappé’s goal.

Mbappé had scored only once in the team’s last six matches across all competitions, and twice in the last nine games. The crowd at the Bernabeu showed patience with the Frenchman throughout the match.

“He played very well, was active and was as dangerous as always,” Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. “He scored and created opportunities. He was very active, it's what we want from him.”

Mbappé was still far from his best, and he did not take the penalty kick which was converted by Bellingham. Another penalty — which was overturned by VAR — was also set to be taken by Rodrygo.

The win moved Madrid within a point of league leader Barcelona, which lost 2-1 to Las Palmas on Saturday. Madrid, the defending champion, has a game in hand.

Madrid was one point ahead of city rival Atletico Madrid, which won 5-0 at Valladolid on Saturday.

Also Sunday, Villarreal drew 2-2 with visiting Girona after leading 2-0 and eventually conceding an equalizer seven minutes into stoppage time.

Athletic Bilbao rallied to win 2-1 at Rayo Vallecano with a pair of second-half goals by Oihan Sancet.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer