♦ Kylian Mbappe fired into the top corner after Jude Bellingham’s slick cutback
♦ The goal from Madrid’s new No 9 bagged his first trophy for the club in Warsaw
Kylian Mbappe made it a debut to remember for Real Madrid after scoring against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup and winning his first trophy at the club.
The superstar, who joined as a free agent this summer after departing Paris Saint-Germain following a glittering seven-year spell, ran onto an inch-perfect cutback from Jude Bellingham and fired coolly into the top corner.
His effort in the 68th minute doubled his new side’s lead after Federico Valverde’s opener and secured his maiden cup with Madrid, wrapping up a dream display.
Mbappe was handed his first competitive start for the LaLiga giants just weeks after sealing his move to the Bernabeu, having recently joined his team-mates in training.
The 25-year-old was afforded a brief holiday after France’s Euro 2024 campaign and reported to Madrid’s Valdebebas base to begin rigorous fitness work.
Kylian Mbappe scored on his Real Madrid debut against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup
Mbappe’s superb second-half strike ensured he lifted his first trophy since his move to Spain
But there were no hints of rustiness in his energetic performance in Warsaw, Poland, on Wednesday with his net-busting strike capping off a superb night.
He even treated supporters to an exciting glimpse of his budding partnership with Bellingham
The midfielder adopted his usual position in attacking midfield, similar to his role for England at the Euros, and set about linking up with Mbappe.
Vinicius Junior’s mazy run saw him cross for Bellingham and in turn, the England hero split the defence to find Madrid’s new No 9, who made no mistake in finishing.
Mbappe and Bellingham then shared a warm embrace during the celebrations.
Incidentally, the duo dovetailed in more ways than one with Mbappe becoming the first Madrid player to find the net on his debut since Bellingham in August 2023.
Madrid also made history as the first club to win the Super Cup on six occasions.
Speaking post-match, Mbappe sent a chilling warning to rivals by insisting there is ‘no limit’ to how many goals he can score in his debut campaign with Madrid.
‘We’re at Real Madrid, we have no limit, I have no limit,’ Mbappe told Movistar when asked whether 50 goals was a realistic target.
‘If I can score 50 goals, it’s 50. But the most important thing is to win and improve as a team, because we’re going to win as a team.’
Jude Bellingham laid on the assist for Madrid’s new No 9 before the duo celebrated together
Mbappe peeled away from his marker inside the box before firing high into the top corner
The forward helped Madrid to become the first club to win the Super Cup on six occasions
He then added: ‘A great night. I’ve been waiting for this moment a long time, to play in this shirt, with this badge, for these fans. It’s a great moment for me.
‘Winning a trophy is very important, we know that [at Madrid] we always have to win. I’m very happy, for sure with the goal, for a forward like me, being decisive in my first game, but more importantly it’s a pleasure to play.’
Carlo Ancelotti, meanwhile, heaped praise on his star-studded forwards.
‘[Mbappe] has the quality to score a lot of goals,’ Ancelotti told reporters. ‘We have to look for balance as a team. Today we had it. In the first half our level of play wasn’t spectacular, but the team had a good game at the back.
‘We suffered a bit in the first half, because Atalanta press a lot, they are very good defensively. In the first half they won more duels than us.
‘In the second half we had more space up front. And obviously in space, Rodrygo, Vinicius and Mbappe are very dangerous.’