‎Kylian Mbappe scores first free-kick in Copa del Rey final as viral 200k-follower X account shuts down

By: Shawn
‎Kylian Mbappe finally silenced critics and a viral social media campaign as he scored the first direct free-kick goal of his professional career—though the moment came in the midst of heartbreak for Real Madrid, who suffered a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final.
‎
‎Kylian Mbappe breaks free-kick drought in Copa del Rey final as viral X account bows out.
‎Getty Images Sport
‎
‎The French superstar, who joined Los Blancos amid immense fanfare, had long been scrutinized for one peculiar statistic: he had never scored from a direct free-kick. That singular anomaly became the sole focus of a popular account on X (formerly Twitter) titled ‘Has Mbappe scored a free-kick’, which had amassed over 200,000 followers and generated more than 16 million impressions through its persistent, tongue-in-cheek updates.
‎
Getty Images Sport 
‎
‎On Saturday night, that narrative came to a resounding end. Mbappe stepped up in the 62nd minute and curled a stunning free-kick past Marc-André ter Stegen to bring Madrid level at 2-2. For a brief moment, it seemed like the night would belong to the 2018 World Cup winner. But Barcelona had other plans. Jules Kounde, Mbappe’s compatriot, delivered a late strike in extra time to seal the Copa del Rey title for the Catalan giants.
‎
‎X
‎
‎With Mbappe’s milestone reached, the viral X account’s mission was complete. Its anonymous owner posted a farewell message: “Well, in any case, congratulations Mbappe, it was a fair fight!” The account, once a light-hearted fixture in football discourse, is now slated for deactivation or sale.
‎
X
‎
‎For Real Madrid, the defeat narrows their path to silverware. With the Champions League hopes dashed earlier in the season, only La Liga remains. Currently trailing Barcelona by four points, the pressure is on Mbappe and company to salvage what’s left of the campaign.
‎
‎While the trophy may have eluded them on Saturday, Mbappe's goal marked a symbolic win—proof that even the most elusive of records can be shattered under the brightest lights.

Comments

Post a Comment

TRENDING!

‎'We Will Struggle': Ruben Amorim Issues Stark January Transfer Warning After Bruno Fernandes Injury Blow for Man Utd

Image
‎Ruben Amorim has warned that Manchester United are set to “struggle” after captain Bruno Fernandes was added to an expanding injury list, though the Portuguese coach has made it clear he will not push the club into urgent spending during the January transfer window. In a sobering message to supporters, Amorim insists the Red Devils intend to push forward with their existing squad rather than seek quick fixes. ‎ Ruben Amorim admits Manchester United face a tough period after Bruno Fernandes suffered an injury, but insists the club will not rush into January transfer spending despite growing absences. ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎Fernandes Added to Manchester United Injury List ‎ ‎Manchester United dropped more valuable Premier League points following a 2-1 defeat away to Aston Villa. Morgan Rogers struck twice for the hosts, while defensive weaknesses once again proved costly for United, with Leny Yoro enduring a difficult outing in the West Midlands. ‎ ‎The disappointing re...
Read more

‎Is Vinicius Jr Valued Like Mbappe or Messi? Real Madrid Told to Sell Amid Contract Standoff

Image
‎Real Madrid have been advised to take decisive action and consider selling Vinicius Junior if the Brazilian forward insists on a contract comparable to those held by Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi. It has been suggested that Vinicius does not merit such financial terms, with the Spanish giants reminded that no individual player outweighs the stature of the club. Interest from the Saudi Pro League has also intensified, adding further pressure to the situation. ‎ Real Madrid are urged to sell Vinicius Jr if he demands Mbappe- or Messi-level wages, with Saudi Pro League interest growing as talks stall. ‎Getty (3) ‎ ‎Vinicius is currently tied to a deal at the Santiago Bernabeu that runs until 2027. Despite narrowly missing out on the 2024 Ballon d’Or, no agreement has yet been reached over a contract extension. As a result, Real Madrid may be forced to listen to offers in upcoming transfer windows if progress remains stalled. ‎ ‎At 25 years old, the Brazilian attacker has bee...
Read more

‎Premier League’s 20 Worst-Rated Players So Far This Season Ranked by Performance Data

Image
‎The Premier League season is edging closer to its halfway mark, and as the campaign progresses, the league table is beginning to settle into a clearer shape. While several clubs and players have impressed with consistency and quality, others have struggled to meet expectations. Individual performances are now under closer scrutiny, and statistical analysis paints a revealing picture of those who have failed to deliver so far. ‎ ‎A comprehensive breakdown of the 20 worst-performing Premier League players so far this season, ranked using WhoScored ratings and match statistics. ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎Arsenal currently lead the title race, yet even the league leaders are not immune from underperforming individuals. Two players who were regular starters for the Gunners last season have dropped out of Mikel Arteta’s strongest XI, and their absence is backed up by data. Both feature among the 20 lowest-rated players in the Premier League at this stage of the season. ‎ ‎This ...
Read more

‎Arteta Signals Gabriel Jesus Start as Arsenal Boss Praises Brazilian's Grit After ACL Comeback

Image
‎Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has suggested that Gabriel Jesus may be in line for his first start in nearly a year as the Brazilian striker edges closer to full match sharpness. After a difficult 2025 marked by serious knee ligament damage, Jesus could feature prominently when the Gunners face Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup quarter-final. ‎ ‎Mikel Arteta hints Gabriel Jesus could start for Arsenal against Crystal Palace, praising his fighting spirit after a long ACL injury recovery. ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎Crystal Palace are set to visit the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday, with Arteta finalising his plans for the cup tie. Squad rotation is expected after Arsenal secured a narrow 1-0 Premier League win over Everton at the weekend. Attention will soon return to league duties, with Brighton scheduled to travel to north London on December 27. ‎ ‎Arsenal’s advantage at the summit of the Premier League table has been reduced to two points, forcing Arteta to carefully balan...
Read more

Chelsea and Arsenal Battle for Lille Prodigy Ayyoub Bouaddi Amid PSG Interes

Image
‎Chelsea and Arsenal have accelerated their pursuit of Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as both Premier League clubs aim to move ahead of Paris Saint-Germain in the race for the highly rated Ligue 1 talent. Lille remain determined to secure a contract extension for the teenager and safeguard a potential fee projected to exceed €50 million next summer. ‎ ‎Chelsea and Arsenal accelerate their chase for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi as PSG monitor the situation and Lille push to secure a contract extension. ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎Chelsea and Arsenal have emerged as leading contenders for Bouaddi following a report from Fabrice Hawkins indicating that both clubs are advancing their plans for the midfielder. Arsenal are pushing more aggressively, and Chelsea have increased their monitoring as they assess long-term midfield reinforcements. Lille anticipate bids beyond €50 million, and earlier internal valuations suggested the total could rise closer to €100 million. PSG mai...
Read more

Antoine Semenyo Prefers Manchester City Move With £65m January Release Clause

Image
‎Bournemouth attacker Antoine Semenyo has identified Manchester City as his preferred destination ahead of the January transfer window. The forward is motivated by the opportunity to compete for major honours and believes a move to Pep Guardiola’s side would align with those ambitions. ‎ ‎Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo prefers a January move to Manchester City, with a £65m release clause and strong Premier League form attracting interest. ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎At present, no formal agreement has been reached, with the winter window still a week away from opening. Interest remains exploratory rather than advanced. ‎ ‎According to reports from The Athletic, Chelsea opted not to continue their interest in the 25-year-old after making an initial approach earlier this week. Manchester United also explored the possibility of a deal, but a January transfer was viewed as difficult to complete. United were only prepared to sign players fully committed to joining the club,...
Read more

‎Man Utd Plan to Sign Two New Midfielders as Four Premier League Targets Emerge in Summer Rebuild

Image
‎Manchester United are preparing for a significant midfield overhaul next summer as part of Ruben Amorim’s long-term plans, with the club aiming to recruit two new central players. The Red Devils have been closely tracking several Premier League midfielders, including Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Alex Scott, as they weigh up major changes in the middle of the pitch. Uncertainty surrounding the futures of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo has accelerated the need for reinforcements. ‎ Manchester United are planning a major summer midfield overhaul under Ruben Amorim, with four Premier League targets shortlisted amid uncertainty over key players. ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎Midfield Overhaul Tops United’s Agenda ‎ ‎Questions remain over several current midfield options at Old Trafford, making links to new signings unsurprising. Fernandes recently raised doubts about his future during an interview last month, revealing that the club attempted to s...
Read more

‎Who has scored the most goals in a single calendar year? The all-time top scorers revealed

Image
‎The record for most goals scored in a single calendar year is one of football’s most prestigious — and fiercely debated — milestones. While FIFA doesn’t officially recognize an all-time record, several legendary names have earned a place in the Guinness World Records and football history books. ‎ ‎ Lionel Messi’s record 91 goals in 2012 remain unmatched. ‎Getty Images ‎ ‎In 2012, Lionel Messi delivered an astonishing performance that saw him score 91 goals for club and country, breaking Gerd Muller’s 1972 record of 85. Of Messi’s 91 goals, 79 were for FC Barcelona and the remainder with the Argentine national team. ‎ ‎Although the Zambian Football Association claimed Godfrey Chitalu scored 113 goals in 1972, FIFA declined to officially acknowledge the record due to insufficient documentation. ‎ ‎Other icons follow closely behind. Pele recorded 75 goals in 1958, while Zico and Romario both achieved 72-goal calendar years. Cristiano Ronaldo appears multiple times in the top ...
Read more

‎Declan Rice Illness Adds to Arsenal's Mounting Injury Crisis Ahead of Champions League Trip to Brugge

Image
‎Arsenal have suffered another significant setback after Declan Rice was ruled out of the Champions League trip to Club Brugge due to a worrying illness. The midfielder, central to Mikel Arteta’s plans, did not travel to Belgium after falling unwell following the defeat to Aston Villa. ‎ ‎Arsenal rule out Declan Rice for the Brugge clash as illness and multiple injuries force major squad changes during a congested Champions League period. ‎Getty Images Sport  ‎ ‎Arsenal’s growing injury list has placed major strain on Arteta’s squad. Rice became unavailable shortly after the Villa match, and recovery efforts were not sufficient for him to join the travelling group. William Saliba remains sidelined with an ongoing issue that has kept him out for several weeks. Leandro Trossard, who scored against Villa after recently returning from injury, sustained a fresh knock and was withdrawn before full-time at Villa Park, with Arteta confirming he would not feature in Brugge. ‎ ‎F...
Read more