La Liga: More dropped points for Real Madrid as McBurnie outshines Mbappe

Rusty Real Madrid fell four points behind Barcelona in La Liga after being held to a 1-1 draw at Las Palmas on Thursday night.

It was a second draw on the road in Los Blancos’ opening three matches to see them move onto five points, while their fierce rivals have made a perfect start.

Kylian Mbappe’s wait for a La Liga goal or assist extended to three matches and the French star was arguably outshone by former Sheffield United forward Oli McBurnie on a soggy night at Estadio de Gran Canaria.

Oli McBurnie has more goal involvements in La Liga (1) than Kylian Mbappé (0). 😅 pic.twitter.com/D33a7cgcLY

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) August 29, 2024

Alberto Moleiro put Los Amarillos ahead after just five minutes following some neat approach play and an incisive pass from McBurnie, who moved to the club this summer after his Blades contract expired following their Premier League relegation.

Moleiro collected his pass into space and bustled between two defenders before firing low into the corner past Thibaut Courtois.

It was nearly two moment later as a cross was deflected into the path of 28-year-old McBurnie, who has 16 caps for Scotland, who slipped as he tried to connect inside the six yard box and saw his effort blocked by Eder Militao.

Former Barca and Valencia keeper Jasper Cillessen kept out Federico Valverde’s rasping strike from a free-kick before the half-hour.

The visitors did get back on terms midway through the second period when Lucas Vasquez ghosted forward and fired a cutback into the box which was adjudged to have struck Alex Suarez on the arm.

Vinicius Junior held his nerve to fire past the dive of Cillessen, who guessed correctly, to level the scores.

Though Mbappe fizzed one effort over the bar and scuffed another shot wide after evading his marker, the anticipated Madrid onslaught never really materialised, despite the introduction of teenage Brazilian star Endrick for the closing stages.

It was Las Palmas who thought they might have won it on 88 minutes when sub Viti Rozada slammed the loose ball into the roof of the net following a free-kick, only for the strike to be chalked-off for an offside in the build-up.

The decision ensured Madrid’s unbeaten run in La Liga extended to 35 matches, but they are some way short of the heights of last season.

Ollie McBurnie vs Kylian Mbappe.Today at 20:30.

The world’s not ready for this. pic.twitter.com/0Xjs4L5J35

— Robin Bairner (@RBairner) August 29, 2024