Mbappe and Bellingham respond to unhappy fans with goals in Real Madrid鈥檚 2-0 win over Getafe

Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe, left, after scoring his side's second goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Real Madrid and Getafe at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid Sunday. (AP)
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  • Mbappe was still far from his best, and he did not take the penalty kick which was converted by Bellingham
  • Athletic Bilbao rallied to win 2-1 at Rayo Vallecano with a pair of second-half goals by Oihan Sancet, while Athletic鈥檚 Basque rival Real Sociedad defeated Real Betis 2-0 at home

MADRID: Kylian Mbappe made some peace with Real Madrid鈥檚 fans.

Mbappe scored in Madrid鈥檚 2-0 win over Getafe in the Spanish league on Sunday to help ease the pressure on the France star.

Mbappe, who has been criticized by some supporters because of his disappointing performances since joining the Spanish powerhouse this season, found the net in the 38th minute to seal Madrid鈥檚 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium.

Mbappe was coming off a lackluster outing 鈥� which included a missed penalty kick 鈥� against Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Jude Bellingham, also the target of some fans鈥� criticism for recent poor play, had put Madrid ahead at the Bernabeu by converting a 30th-minute penalty. He also assisted in Mbappe鈥檚 goal 鈥� a well-placed low shot from outside the area.

Mbappe had scored only once in the team鈥檚 last six matches across all competitions, and twice in the last nine games.

鈥淗e played very well, was active and was as dangerous as always,鈥� Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said. 鈥淗e scored and created opportunities. He was very active, it鈥檚 what we want from him.鈥�

Mbappe was still far from his best, and he did not take the penalty kick which was converted by Bellingham. Another penalty 鈥� which was overturned by VAR 鈥� was also set to be taken by Rodrygo.

鈥淭he order for the penalties is Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, but without Vinicius, it was up to Bellingham and Mbappe to choose,鈥� Ancelotti said.

The win moved Madrid within a point of league leader Barcelona, who lost 2-1 to Las Palmas on Saturday. Madrid, the defending champions, have a game in hand.

Madrid were one point ahead of city rivals Atletico Madrid, who won 5-0 at Valladolid on Saturday.

Madrid have lost three of their five Champions League matches but have won three straight in the league to cut into Barcelona鈥檚 lead. The Catalan club is winless in three consecutive league games.

鈥淭hings have been going well in La Liga since the last defeat, but we can鈥檛 get sidetracked because this is what Real Madrid demands,鈥� Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger said. 鈥淲e must continue and do better in the Champions League.鈥�

Also Sunday, Villarreal drew 2-2 with visiting Girona after leading 2-0 and eventually conceding an equalizer seven minutes into stoppage time.

Athletic Bilbao rallied to win 2-1 at Rayo Vallecano with a pair of second-half goals by Oihan Sancet, while Athletic鈥檚 Basque rival Real Sociedad defeated Real Betis 2-0 at home.