Mbappe's Real Madrid extend Liga lead, Villarreal move second
Kylian Mbappe scored twice to help Real Madrid claim a convincing 4-0 victory against Valencia on Saturday, pulling seven points ahead at the summit of La Liga.
Villarreal kept up their fine form at the start of the campaign with a 4-0 rout of Rayo Vallecano, surging past title holders Barcelona into second spot for now.
Atletico Madrid picked up a solid 3-0 success over Sevilla, strengthening their hold on fourth and matching Barcelona on points, with the champions facing Elche on Sunday in a bid to reduce Madrid's advantage to five points.
With Mbappe's brace complemented by goals from Jude Bellingham and Alvaro Carreras, Real dominated to secure a straightforward win before their Champions League trip to Liverpool on Tuesday.
Vinicius featured on the left flank in Madrid's forward line after issuing an apology for his notable frustration when substituted during last weekend's Clasico triumph against Barcelona.
The Brazilian fluffed a penalty in the opening period, seeming to defer to Mbappe, yet delivered a solid showing overall.
"I prefer they take the penalties, those are valuable chances," Real Madrid manager Alonso remarked to the press.
Mbappe converted a spot kick for the opener, and Alonso affirmed that the French ace remains the designated penalty taker.
"Kylian took the first one, and I would have wanted the second to go in as well, but it is not a major issue, Kylian stays as the primary option... (Vinicius) played very well," Alonso added.
Alonso selected what could be his optimal lineup, even with the team's lead in the standings and the upcoming Anfield challenge.
Mbappe's pair of goals alongside Bellingham's effort put Madrid firmly in control with a three-goal advantage by halftime, sealing the outcome early.
Mbappe has tallied 18 strikes in 14 outings across all tournaments and tops the La Liga goal scorers with 12.
"Only time will reveal (his total), it is hard to predict his final haul from the current rate," Alonso commented.
"Kylian possesses that knack for netting, for positioning correctly... he will bag plenty of goals."
After dispatching the penalty triggered by Cesar Tarrega's handball, Mbappe unleashed a volley from Arda Guler's delivery for Madrid's next score.
Post Vinicius' penalty miss, Bellingham rifled a fierce shot into the bottom corner.
The England midfielder has shone brightly in recent weeks, netting against Juventus and Barcelona.
Madrid eased through the latter stages until Carreras blasted in the fourth in the 82nd minute.
The Portuguese fullback smashed it into the top right corner for the evening's standout goal and his debut strike for the team.
"I feel proud, these moments arrive when they do, I was not rushing, my role is (defence)," Carreras stated.
Valencia remain without a league win in six outings and sit 18th.
Chasing Madrid
Marcelino Garcia Toral's Villarreal stayed close to the frontrunners via their commanding home success against Rayo.
Experienced forward Gerard Moreno broke the deadlock, with Alberto Moleiro curling in an excellent second after the interval, advancing and firing from range.
The playmaker set up Santi Comesana for the third shortly after, as Ayoze Perez notched the fourth.
Atletico Madrid sailed to a win versus Sevilla at the Metropolitano with strikes from Julian Alvarez, Thiago Almada, and Antoine Griezmann.
Diego Simeone's outfit pierced the defence midway through the second half, as Tanguy Nianzou tripped Jose Gimenez inside the box and Alvarez slotted the penalty.
Almada finished the second following neat interplay from Giuliano Simeone, while Griezmann coolly netted a classy third towards the end. It marked the Frenchman's 200th top-flight goal in Spain.
Atletico stretched their unbeaten streak in the league to 10 games and secured a third straight La Liga shutout.
"Improvement is key, our aim is to keep progressing with humility," Diego Simeone noted.
Real Sociedad grabbed a 3-2 victory in the Basque derby versus Athletic Bilbao to recover from a sluggish season opening.