Mbappe scores hat-trick as Real Madrid dominates Kairat in Champions League

Kylian Mbappe Hat-Trick Powers Real Madrid to 5-0 Champions League Victory Over Kairat Almaty

Real Madrid bounced back in emphatic fashion from their humiliating 5-2 weekend defeat to Atletico Madrid by dismantling Champions League newcomers Kairat Almaty 5-0 on Tuesday night in Kazakhstan. Kylian Mbappe stole the spotlight with a sensational hat-trick, reaffirming his reputation as one of football’s most lethal forwards and lifting the mood in Madrid after a turbulent few days.

The French superstar, who arrived at the Santiago Bernabéu this summer as the club’s marquee signing, brought his Champions League tally for the season to five goals. His ruthless display of finishing, combined with decisive contributions from Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga, and Brahim Diaz, ensured that Real took control of Group C after two games.

Speaking after the victory, Mbappe stressed the importance of keeping perspective despite the celebratory atmosphere.
“We must never forget what happened on Saturday,” Mbappe told Movistar Plus, referring to the derby defeat. “Yes, it’s another competition, but we have to keep thinking about what happened last weekend so we can learn from our mistakes and work to ensure it doesn’t happen again. My job is to help the team win matches and trophies, and when I get chances, I need to put them away. That’s why Real Madrid signed me.”

A Bright Start from the Underdogs

Kairat Almaty, playing their first-ever home game in the UEFA Champions League group stage, began with spirit and energy. Urged on by a passionate home crowd, they created a couple of early half-chances down the left flank. Valeriy Gromyko and João Paulo both looked lively, testing Real’s defensive shape without ever seriously troubling Thibaut Courtois.

The visitors, however, soon began to assert their authority. Real’s midfield trio of Federico Valverde, Luka Modric, and Eduardo Camavinga gradually took control of possession, probing patiently as Kairat sat deeper.

Mbappe Breaks the Deadlock

The breakthrough arrived in the 25th minute. A defensive lapse from Kairat allowed Franco Mastantuono to pounce inside the penalty area, forcing a desperate intervention from 18-year-old goalkeeper Sherhan Kalmurza. The Kazakh shot-stopper clattered into the young midfielder, leaving the referee little choice but to point to the spot.

Mbappe stepped up with confidence, dispatching the penalty into the top corner to put Madrid ahead. Despite creating further opportunities before halftime, including a Rodrygo effort that rattled the post, Real went into the break holding a narrow 1-0 lead.

A Second-Half Masterclass

Madrid wasted no time in the second half. In the 52nd minute, Courtois launched a long kick that caught the Kairat defense off guard. Mbappe raced onto the ball, outpacing two defenders before delicately chipping the advancing Kalmurza. It was a moment of individual brilliance that showcased the Frenchman’s blend of speed, composure, and ruthlessness.

Kairat believed they had found a way back into the match when Dani Ceballos appeared to foul Gromyko inside the box in the 69th minute. The referee initially awarded a penalty, but after a VAR review, the decision was overturned, much to the frustration of the home fans.

Just minutes later, Mbappe effectively killed the game. In the 73rd minute, Rodrygo’s dazzling solo run carved through the Kairat defense. He laid the ball off to Mbappe at the edge of the box, and the striker unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner to complete his hat-trick. The finish was greeted by applause even from sections of the Kazakh crowd, who recognized the sheer quality of the goal.

Madrid Turn on the Style

Real Madrid were not finished. With the hosts visibly tiring, the visitors added further gloss to the scoreline. Rodrygo, already influential with his assist for Mbappe’s third, delivered a superb cross in the 83rd minute that was met by Camavinga’s powerful header to make it 4-0.

The final blow came in stoppage time. Substitute Brahim Diaz latched onto a loose ball in the box after Kalmurza parried an initial shot, calmly slotting home to complete the 5-0 rout.

Redemption After the Derby Disaster

The convincing win came at the perfect time for Madrid, whose confidence had been shaken by their weekend collapse against Atletico. Coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s response, noting the focus and energy they displayed despite the long trip to Kazakhstan.

“This was about showing character,” Ancelotti said in his post-match press conference. “After a painful defeat, you must answer with a performance that reflects our standards. We controlled the game well, Mbappe showed his class, and the team worked hard. It’s only the beginning of the group stage, but this is the right direction.”

Mbappe’s Growing Influence

For Mbappe, the hat-trick was further evidence of his growing influence in Madrid colors. With five goals already in this year’s competition, he is firmly in contention for the Champions League Golden Boot. His relentless hunger was evident even after scoring three times.

“A player like me, when he has five chances, wants and has to score all five,” Mbappe admitted. “That’s the mentality I bring. Tonight was good, but I can do better.”

Kairat’s Learning Curve

For Kairat Almaty, the defeat was a harsh but valuable lesson in the realities of competing at Europe’s highest level. Despite their spirited start, defensive mistakes and lapses in concentration were brutally punished by one of the world’s elite teams. Coach Kurban Berdyev emphasized the positives afterward, noting the historic occasion and the exposure his young players gained.

“We faced one of the best teams in the world and one of the best players,” Berdyev said. “Our players will learn from this experience, and that is how we grow.”

The Road Ahead

With the win, Real Madrid sit comfortably in their group with six points from two matches, already signaling their intent to qualify early and focus on deeper stages of the tournament. For Mbappe, Rodrygo, and the rest of the squad, the challenge now will be consistency—both in Europe and in La Liga, where they cannot afford further slip-ups like the one against Atletico.

As for Kairat, the dream of securing their first Champions League point remains alive, but they will need to regroup quickly before their next fixture.

On a night when questions swirled about Real Madrid’s resilience, Mbappe provided emphatic answers. His hat-trick not only silenced doubts but also reminded the football world why Madrid fought so hard to bring him to the Bernabéu.

‍