Real Madrid Hosts Racing to Continue Winning Streak

Madrid (AFP) – Real Madrid aim to extend their winning streak and increase pressure on league leaders Barcelona when they travel to face Racing Santander tomorrow, Sunday, in the 11th round of the Spanish La Liga.

Real Madrid, currently third with 24 points, secured a 2-1 victory over hosts and rivals Barcelona in the “Clásico,” thanks to a brace from French star Kylian Mbappé. The result halted Barcelona’s nine-match winning streak in the league and reignited excitement in the title race.

The “Los Blancos” enter the match in high spirits after five consecutive wins across all competitions. This will be Mbappé’s first appearance since the controversy sparked by his comments about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong, which triggered significant repercussions.

Meanwhile, Racing sit on 11 points but come into the fixture following a thrilling 2-1 win over Espanyol.

In the same round, Atletico Madrid claimed a convincing 2-0 away victory against Levante on Saturday to temporarily take the top spot.

In French Ligue 1 action, Moroccan international Achraf Hakimi scored a hat-trick and led defending champions and league leaders Paris Saint-Germain to a 5-1 victory over bottom-placed Havre, in the opening match of the ninth round.

Hakimi netted his three goals in the 28th, 55th, and 69th minutes, after providing the equalizer for Belgian midfielder Mikaël Guéï in the 26th minute, responding to Nigerian forward Josh Majagba’s 18th-minute opener for Havre. Senny Mayulu added a fourth goal in the 62nd minute.

After the match, Hakimi said: “It was a wonderful evening. It’s the first time I’ve scored a hat-trick, but there have been other matches that left a greater emotional impact on me.”

His Spanish coach, Luis Enrique, added: “Hakimi is the best right-back in the world and also the best forward.”

PSG moved up to 20 points, while Lille sit second with 18 points. Rennes remain third with 16 points.