Mbappe hits four as Real Madrid hold off Olympiacos in thriller

In a thrilling Champions League encounter on Wednesday, Kylian Mbappe delivered a masterclass performance, scoring all four goals as Real Madrid edged past Olympiacos 4-3 in Piraeus, Greece. The victory marked a crucial turnaround for Madrid, ending a three-match winless streak across all competitions. Olympiacos initially took the lead with a stunning 20-yard strike from Chiquinho, but Mbappe swiftly took center stage, becoming the competition’s top scorer this season. The French captain equalized in the 22nd minute with a precise finish, followed by a header two minutes later and a hat-trick goal just six minutes and 42 seconds after his first—the second fastest in Champions League history. Substitute Mehdi Taremi briefly revived Olympiacos’ hopes with a header, but Mbappe sealed the win with his fourth goal, assisted by Vinicius Junior. Despite a late goal from Ayoub El Kaabi, Madrid held on to secure their fourth win in five Champions League matches. Coach Xabi Alonso praised the team’s resilience, emphasizing the importance of breaking their losing streak. Madrid now sit fifth in the standings, with crucial fixtures against Manchester City, Monaco, and Benfica ahead.