Real Madrid bounce back from Liverpool loss in La Liga

Kylian Mbappe has made some peace with Real Madrid's fans.

The French superstar scored in his side's 2-0 win over Getafe in the Spanish league on Sunday to help ease the pressure on the 25-year-old.

Mbappe, who has been criticised by some supporters because of his disappointing performances since joining the Spanish powerhouse this season, found the net in the 38th minute to seal Madrid's victory at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Mbappe was coming off a lackluster outing — which included a missed penalty kick — against Liverpool in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Jude Bellingham, also the target of some fans' criticism for recent poor play, had put the hosts ahead by converting a 30th-minute penalty. He also assisted in Mbappe's goal.

Mbappe had scored only once in the team's last six matches across all competitions, and twice in the last nine games.

"He played very well, was active and was as dangerous as always," Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said.

"He scored and created opportunities. He was very active, it's what we want from him."

Mbappe was still far from his best, and he did not take the penalty kick which was converted by Bellingham. Another penalty — which was overturned by VAR — was also set to be taken by Rodrygo.

"The order for the penalties is Mbappe and Vinicius Junior, but without Vinicius, it was up to Bellingham and Mbappe to choose," Ancelotti added.

The win moved Madrid within a point of league leaders Barcelona, who lost 2-1 at home to Las Palmas on Saturday. Madrid, the defending champions, have a game in hand.

Madrid are one point ahead of city rivals Atletico, who won 5-0 at Valladolid on Saturday.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Villarreal drew 2-2 with visiting Girona after leading 2-0 and eventually conceding an equaliser seven minutes into added time.

Athletic Bilbao rallied to win 2-1 at Rayo Vallecano with a pair of second-half goals by Oihan Sancet, while while Athletic's Basque rivals Real Sociedad defeated Real Betis 2-0 at home.