Cape Town – Mbappé stepped up in the absence of the suspended Vinícius Júnior, scoring both goals as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in La Liga at the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday.

His opener in the 41st minute was a fortunate one. Yan Diomande’s low cross from the left caused problems for Gerard Martín, whose clearance struck Mbappé and went into the net.

Raphinha equalised for Barcelona in the 61st minute, but Mbappé had the final say. Jude Bellingham started the move, and substitute Eduardo Camavinga broke beyond Pau Cubarsí before cutting the ball back for Mbappé to score from close range in the 87th minute.

The win ended Barcelona’s perfect start to the league season and cut their lead over Madrid to three points. Barcelona are on 27 points, with Atlético Madrid second on 25 and Madrid third on 24.

The brace took Mbappé to 14 goals in 11 games against Barcelona for Paris Saint-Germain and Madrid. Only Cristiano Ronaldo, with 20, and Karim Benzema, with 16, have scored more against them this century.

He now has five goals in two visits to Barcelona as a Madrid player. That’s the most by any Madrid player since the start of the 2013-14 season, ahead of Ronaldo and Benzema with four each.

His two goals also brought up 100 goals for Madrid

With Vinícius banned, much of Madrid’s attacking burden fell on Mbappé, and he delivered. The winning goal came from one of several quick breaks that troubled Barcelona throughout the night.

It also came 24 hours before the Ballon d’Or ceremony in London. The voting has long since closed, but Mbappé gave one more reminder of why he is among the favourites.