Mbappe's four-goal masterclass in Athens fuels Madrid's Champions League night

Match Highlights

In Athens, Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe unleashed a scoring spree, netting four goals to power a 4-1 victory over Olympiakos in the UEFA Champions League group stage. Olympiakos opened the scoring early through Shikenho in the 8th minute, then Mbappe answered with a rapid hat-trick in minutes 22, 24 and 29, followed by a fourth in the 60th minute.

Opta confirms that Mbappe's first-half treble is the third-fastest in Champions League history, and he now owns the record for the most away hat-tricks in the competition with four.

In the first half Mbappe showed elite effectiveness: 11 of 12 passes completed, five shots, four touches in the box, three shots on target, three goals, two chances created and two fouls won, all in a seven-minute burst that stunned the stadium.

Earlier in the week Mbappe had faced criticism for a drought that stretched across three Madrid games without a goal. This performance answered the doubters with a reminder that his impact can tilt a match in a single quarter of an hour.

Tactics, Reactions and Aftermath

Coach Xabi Alonso described the recent drought as a collective issue rather than a single player failing to deliver, emphasising work on set pieces and the need for unity. He spoke at a press conference ahead of the La Liga match against Elche, insisting the team remains ambitious and believes the goals will return.

Spanish newspaper AS quoted Alonso saying that the club must progress without hesitation. He also defended his tactical choice to deploy Ferran Garcia in an unfamiliar wide role to widen the play and alter the rhythm, noting that the moment of balance shifted after the equaliser came too late.

Regarding Vinicius Junior, who started on the bench, Alonso stressed there is no concern about his commitment or discipline and that the squad remains focused on returning to positive momentum.

The broader context remains the future of coach Xabi Alonso, whose three-year contract began last summer after the departure of Carlo Ancelotti. The club endured a difficult start, including a 4-0 loss to PSG in the Club World Cup semifinal, which intensified questions about the direction under the Spaniard. While Madrid have shown good results in La Liga and the Champions League, the criticism persists and the club knows there is no room for complacency.

Key Numbers and Lingering Questions

Beyond the goals, Alonso stressed that Madrid must keep improving as a team and maintain the balance needed to challenge in every competition. The game also highlighted the ongoing debate about Vinicius Jr.'s future should the manager remain in place, with reports of possible friction in the relationship between player and coach.

Punchline time: If Mbappe keeps scoring like this, even the offside flag will request a vacation. And if the goals keep flowing, the net might start charging rent for overtime!