Arda Güler jokes he ‘stole’ Mbappé’s goal after Real Madrid beat Leipzig

Arda Güler joked after Real Madrid’s 4-1 Champions League win over RB Leipzig on 21 October that he had taken a goal from Kylian Mbappé because he expected his teammate to score later. Güler scored Madrid’s second goal at the Santiago Bernabéu, and Mbappé subsequently scored their third. Madrid Universal reported Güler’s comments from a post-match interview with Real Madrid TV.

“I stole the goal from Mbappe, but that's because I knew he'd score another one. So, no problem,” Güler said, according to Madrid Universal. His joke followed a move in which Jude Bellingham crossed, Mbappé headed the ball back across goal and Güler turned it in during the 52nd minute, according to FRANCE 24’s AFP report.

Güler on Madrid’s performance and home support

Güler also called the home crowd a key factor, saying the players try to give everything for their supporters when they play at the Bernabéu. The result gave Madrid three wins from their first three Champions League matches of the season. Bernardo Silva had opened the scoring shortly before halftime, and Güler’s goal doubled the lead after the break, according to FRANCE 24’s AFP report.

Mbappé told reporters he felt he could do more despite scoring, according to FRANCE 24’s AFP report. The outlet said he had scored in each of Madrid’s Champions League matches this season and had 12 goals in 12 games across competitions. His finish against Leipzig made good on the expectation Güler described in his joke, though Güler’s account was about his decision in that particular attacking move.

Madrid turn to Sunday’s Clásico

Madrid next face Barcelona in Sunday’s La Liga Clásico. Güler called it a “big match” and a “top-class fixture” in his Real Madrid TV interview, saying his side was ready and would give everything to win. The Leipzig victory was Madrid’s fourth consecutive win across all competitions, according to FRANCE 24’s AFP report.

The interview adds Güler’s explanation of his goal to NewsJaws’ earlier account of Madrid’s 4-1 win over Leipzig. That result had already established his place on the scoresheet; Güler’s comments describe how he viewed the move and Madrid’s performance before the Barcelona match.