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Kylian Mbappe scored twice for Real Madrid against Marseille in the Champions League on Tuesday to take his tally to 50 goals in 64 matches for Los Blancos. The France international has now become the fastest player to reach a half-century of goals for Real Madrid since Cristiano Ronaldo hit the landmark in 2010 by hitting his 51st goal in just 54 appearances. Real Madrid came from behind to beat Marseille 2-1 in their opening Champions League encounter. Tim Weah opened the scoring for the visitors but Mbappe equalised from the penalty spot after Rodrygo had been fouled. Los Blancos were then reduced to 10 men when Dani Carvajal was sent off for bumping heads with Geronimo Rulli, before Mbappe won it with another penalty after Facundo Medina was penalised for handball. The two goals mean Mbappe has hit his half-century for Real Madrid and is the second fastest player to hit the landmark since Ronaldo. Manager Xabi Alonso hailed his talisman after the game. He told Movistar: “Mbappé hasn’t been bad… in his best shape… with two goals. He has a tremendous impact on the rest and is in a good moment personally and football-wise. Happy to be with him and working day to day. We have a lot left and we’re just getting started.”

Mikel Arteta lauded the impact of Gabriel Martinelli off the bench in helping Arsenal to get their Champions League campaign off to a winning start. The Brazilian scored Arsenal’s first after coming on as a second-half substitute before Leandro Trossard added a second late on to hand their side victory over Athletic Club. Martinelli has come in for criticism of late and has been left out of the starting line-up for the last two games following the signing of Ebere Eze. But Gunners boss Arteta said he expected a response from the 24-year-old. “I was sure that Gabi was going to react like that,” Arteta said. “You raise the level for him and he’s going to do that. “He’s a player that has such a mentality and is always willing to learn and prove himself. He’s very demanding with himself and these are the moments that are hopefully going to give him the confidence again because he’s an outstanding player. “He fully deserves it. I adore Gabi – his attitude, his commitment, his positivity, what he’s willing to do for the team. “We certainly value all the qualities that he has and he brings to the team and I’m so happy that today he’s decided the game for us.” Arteta also pointed to his side’s togetherness in celebrating with Martinelli after his goal. “That’s the spirit,” he said. “That’s why I really enjoy every single day working with them and being part of this team because the way they look after each other is genuine. T “hey really want the best for each other and they recognise someone that works every single day in the manner that Gabi does. “You can go through struggles and through moments and recognise that, and have that capacity to connect with him. I think that will mean a lot to him.”