Mbappe Scores Hat-Trick as Real Madrid Defeats Kairat Almaty
Kylian Mbappe scored a hat-trick and reached 60 goals in the Champions League as Real Madrid secured a commanding victory over Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan.
The French captain opened the scoring early by converting a penalty into the bottom corner after home goalkeeper Sherkhan Kalmurza collided with Franco Mastantuono outside the area.
Mbappe doubled his tally in the 52nd minute, connecting with a long ball from Thibaut Courtois and delicately chipping it over Kalmurza.
In the 67th minute, a penalty was awarded to Kairat when Valeri Gromyko appeared to be fouled by Dani Ceballos; however, the decision was overturned following a VAR review.
Despite missing a golden opportunity to secure his hat-trick when he shot wide with the goal at his mercy, Mbappe ultimately found the net from close range to complete his treble.
Substitutes Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Diaz added to the scoreline in the final moments of the match. Camavinga scored with a close-range header, while Diaz finished with a precise shot into the bottom corner following a pass from Gonzalo Garcia, marking Kairat's heaviest defeat in European competition.
This victory was crucial for Xabi Alonso's squad, especially after their recent 5-2 loss to city rivals Atletico Madrid in La Liga.
With this performance, Mbappe's goals marked his 58th, 59th, and 60th in the Champions League, allowing him to surpass former Bayern Munich striker Thomas Muller and become the sixth highest scorer in the competition's history.
Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.
There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.