Mbappe hits four as Real Madrid hold off Olympiacos in thriller

Kylian Mbappe netted every one of the four goals while Real Madrid managed to secure a 4-3 victory over Olympiacos in the Champions League on Wednesday, thus halting their three-game streak without a win across all tournaments.

Chiquinho slotted the ball into the net from 20 yards out to cap a tidy team play, giving Olympiacos the initial advantage in their home fixture in Greece, yet Mbappe dominated the action and claimed the top spot among the tournament's goalscorers for the campaign.

"It felt crucial to resume victories, since we realise that going three games without one is quite a stretch for our side," Mbappe shared with Movistar.

"(The squad) appears solid from my perspective, naturally there are areas for refinement. In a team like Real Madrid, it's expected that discussions arise."

The French skipper fired the shot between the legs of Olympiacos custodian Kostas Tzolakis to equalise on 22 minutes, having dashed onto a pinpoint pass behind the backline from Vinicius Junior.

Mbappe added another just two minutes afterwards by heading firmly low into the net from a delivery by Arda Guler.

The striker achieved the second swiftest hat-trick in Champions League history as he broke free and guided the ball past Tzolakis once more, with his trio of strikes occurring across six minutes and 42 seconds.

Just Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, facing Rangers in 2022, has managed a faster hat-trick in the event.

Replacement Mehdi Taremi, who came on for the hurt Chiquinho during the opening period, pulled Olympiacos back into contention with a powerful header over temporary Madrid shot-stopper Andriy Lunin on 52 minutes.

The Ukrainian keeper stepped in for Thibaut Courtois, absent from the journey owing to sickness. Real Madrid were missing Dean Huijsen too, which compounded the absences of Dani Carvajal, Eder Militao, and Antonio Rudiger in a defence plagued by injuries.

Real Madrid had previously failed to triumph in away games against Greek sides over seven prior attempts, but Mbappe made certain the Spanish powerhouse broke that pattern, slotting away his fourth goal of the evening following superb play from Vinicius on the left flank.

This elevated Mbappe to nine strikes in five Champions League outings this season, placing him three ahead of Victor Osimhen in the leading scorers' list.

"I'm delighted, it's constantly enjoyable to find the net. My colleagues are providing excellent service. I feel fortunate to feature in this squad, alongside such players," Mbappe remarked.

Ayoub El Kaabi reduced the gap with nine minutes remaining, but Madrid held firm to claim their fourth success in five Champions League fixtures, recovering from a defeat to Liverpool in their previous continental match.

"The key today was to disrupt, somewhat, the pattern we'd been in, and to recapture that sensation of success," stated Madrid manager Xabi Alonso.

The 15-time European title holders climbed to fifth position in the table, with upcoming fixtures versus Manchester City, Monaco, and Benfica.

"We require contributions from all, and evidently Kylian shone with the strikes today, but it was vital to shift the momentum... which explains the players' celebrations," Alonso added.