European Football: Mbappe’s Challenging Clasico, Kane Scores, and Napoli Extends League Lead

Napoli, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich currently lead their respective leagues. Kylian Mbappe faced criticism following Barcelona’s triumph against Real Madrid’s new generation of ‘Galacticos’ in the season’s first Clasico. Meanwhile, Antonio Conte’s Napoli maintained their position as Serie A leaders, and Harry Kane was on target for Bayern Munich. On Saturday, Robert Lewandowski scored twice in three minutes, while 17-year-old Lamine Yamal and Raphinha concluded a successful night for Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu. Bayern Munich and Sporting also secured victories, and the Derby d’Italia featured an eight-goal thriller. Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe, playing in his first El Clasico since joining Los Blancos from Paris St-Germain in the summer, scored twice, but both goals were ruled out for offside. He believed he had given his side the lead in the first half, but the goal was disallowed for offside by the tightest of margins. The Frenchman was subsequently flagged offside a further seven times as he struggled to get to grips with Barcelona’s high line. Speaking after the game, which left Real Madrid six points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona amid racist abuse of the visiting players, Real boss Carlo Ancelotti said: “The truth is he [Mbappe] had three or four opportunities where he could have scored and needed a bit more precision.”