Kylian Mbappé renewed his quest to win a European title by scoring for Real Madrid in his first Champions League match with the club.
Mbappé found the open net after a cross by Rodrygo just seconds into the second half of Madrid’s 3-1 win over Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
“It was a great night,” Mbappé said. “It was a tough match, as they always are in the Champions League, but it was important to start with the win at home.”
Mbappé celebrated with a gesture in which he appeared to blow candles and sending a kiss. Spanish media said it was to honor his mother’s 50th birthday.
The goal gave defending champion Madrid a 1-0 lead before Stuttgart equalized with Deniz Undav in the 68th. Antonio Rüdiger put Madrid back in front in the 83rd and substitute Endrick closed the scoring deep into stoppage time to seal the victory for the defending champions.
It was Mbappé’s 49th Champions League goal, putting him in the top 10 of top scorers all time in the competition.
He has scored in three consecutive matches and has five goals in seven games with Madrid so far in all competitions.