Mbappé scores again as Real Madrid win easily

MADRID (AP):

Kylian Mbappé scored again as Real Madrid cruised to a 3-0 victory away to Racing Santander yesterday to keep pace with Spanish leaders Barcelona, while Lazio climbed to the top of Serie A with a 2-1 win over Cagliari.

Lazio took full advantage of defending champions Inter Milan’s defeat to city rivals AC Milan on Saturday to move three points clear at the summit, but needed a late winner from striker Andrea Pinamonti to do so.

Moment of silence in Spain

The Spanish league observed a moment of silence before every match this weekend in memory of the victims of the deadly train crash in Spain.

Mbappé scored his 12th league goal of the season from the penalty spot in the 11th minute after being fouled himself. He also played a role in Jude Bellingham’s goal midway through the first half.

Summer signing Yan Diomandé added a third with a powerful strike before half-time.

Madrid remain third in the standings, one point behind Atletico Madrid and three adrift of free-scoring Barcelona.

On Tuesday, Mbappé apologised for comments in which he apparently referred to Mao Zedong, the founding leader of Communist China, as a dictator after facing backlash and losing endorsement deals with Chinese companies.

The controversy came a day after he finished second behind Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane in the men’s Ballon d’Or voting.

Elsewhere in Spain, struggling Getafe rallied to beat Sevilla 3-1, with forward Martín Satriano setting up the equaliser for striker Enes Ünal before getting on the scoresheet himself. Orel Mangala added a late third goal.

Lazio’s late show

Pinamonti came off the bench and ripped off his sky-blue Lazio jersey in celebration after netting the winner in the 83rd minute.

Gustav Isaksen had levelled for Lazio late in the first half after Cagliari striker M’Bala Nzola gave the Sardinian club the lead in the 21st minute.

Elsewhere, France midfielder Lucas Da Cunha’s first-half penalty gave fourth-placed Como a 1-0 home victory over bottom club Venezia, which have now lost nine of their 10 matches.

Frosinone strengthened their hold on sixth place with a 2-0 win over Torino.

Lyon climb to third

Lyon moved into third place and stayed ahead of Paris FC on goal difference after both clubs recorded victories.

Goals from Ghana forward Ernest Nuamah and veteran midfielder Corentin Tolisso earned Lyon a 2-0 home win over Angers, while a brace from Mali striker Lassine Sinayoko helped Paris FC defeat Monaco 3-1 at home.

United States forward Folarin Balogun scored Monaco’s lone goal.

Strasbourg thrashed Auxerre 5-1 at home, with striker Gessime Yassine scoring twice.

Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain had already won on Friday.