MADRID (AP) — Kylian Mbappé continued his scoring streak with his sixth goal in five games as Real Madrid beat Alaves 3-2 on Tuesday to move closer to leader Barcelona in the Spanish league.

Mbappé’s seventh goal since joining Madrid was a dream goal: the French striker started a one-two with Jude Bellingham with a backheel, collected the pass in the box and cleared a defender with a clever move before finding the net in the 40th minute at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium.

Mbappé asked to be substituted in the 80th minute due to a muscle injury, according to Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who said it was not a serious illness.

Lucas Vázquez and Rodrygo also scored for Madrid, who extended their unbeaten run in La Liga to 39 games – with 29 wins and 10 draws since last season. Alaves fought back late, scoring through Carlos Benavídez in the 85th minute and Kike García in the 86th minute, but could not equalise despite having chances in the final minutes.

“We played a great game for 80 minutes, but in the end we suffered more than we should have,” said Vázquez.

The win moved Madrid within one point of league leaders Barcelona, ​​who will be seeking their seventh consecutive win to start the season when they host winless Getafe on Wednesday.

Mbappé has now scored seven goals in nine games for Madrid in all competitions. In the Spanish league, he has five goals, one less than Barcelona’s top scorer, Robert Lewandowski.

The French star, who signed without a contract after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, also had a goal disallowed for offside in the 22nd minute. Arda Güler came on for Mbappé in the 80th minute.

Vázquez had put Madrid ahead in the first minute of the game with a shot from inside the box following a fine run down the left side of the box by Vinícius Júnior. Rodrygo increased the lead after a long run in the 48th minute.

Ancelotti, who was making his 300th appearance for the club, used most of his regular players and did not immediately rotate his team despite the busy schedule.

Vázquez started as right defender in place of regular starter Dani Carvajal, who took a break due to fitness problems.

Young Brazilian striker Endrick replaced Rodrygo in the 69th minute, his earliest appearance as a substitute, and hit the post from inside the penalty area a few minutes later.

Madrid complained about yellow cards given to Vinícius, Federico Valverde and substitute Luka Modric for protesting in a game in which Madrid felt its players were frequently subjected to hard tackles.

“Today the standards are different and we have to adapt,” said Ancelotti. “We have to stop protesting.”

Alaves, whose players were not shown cards, complained that Endrick should have been shown a red card after the Brazilian appeared to have kicked an opponent out of play.

Madrid’s next game is the city derby against Atletico Madrid at the Atletico Metropolitano Stadium.

Ñíguez’ injury

Sevilla midfielder Saúl Ñíguez was stretchered off the field early in the second half of Sevilla’s 2-1 home win against Valladolid, apparently with a leg injury.

Chidera Ejuke scored the winning goal in the 85th minute to give Sevilla their second win in their last three league games.

Valladolid’s only win this season came in their league opening match against Espanyol.

Valencia saved

Valencia followed up their first win of the season – 2-0 at Girona – with a 0-0 draw against Osasuna.

Osasuna had won two of their last three games.

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