Kylian Mbappe lit up the Bernabeu on Thursday night as he dribbled from his own half to score a brilliant solo goal in Real Madrid's 5-2 extra-time victory over Celta Vigo in the Copa del Rey.
The France star has received his fair share of criticism since joining Carlo Ancelotti's side on a free transfer in the summer despite a perfectly respectable haul of 16 goals for the club.
Just this week, former Manchester United star Patrice Evra said that his compatriot was overhyped and doesn't belong in the same sentence as Thierry Henry.
But Mbappe responded to the noise on Thursday by picking up the ball in his own half before driving all the way into the box before smashing in from an acute angle to open the scoring.
When Vinicius Jr doubled Real's lead just after half time, it looked like it was going to be a straightforward night for the European champions.
But Celta hit back with late goals from Jonathan Bamba and Marcos Alonso to take the game to extra time.
Brazilian teenage striker Endrick came off the bench to score twice in extra time, with Federico Valverde also finding the net, to put Real safely through to the last eight.
Endrick dedicated his two goals to team-mate Antonio Rudiger who he revealed had been a great support to him in recent weeks.
With Mbappe in his position, Endrick has struggled to get the game time he craves and has been linked with a move away from the Bernabeu.
But, inspired by Rudiger, he insists he is ready to fight for his place.
'He (Rudiger) knows what he does with me everyday,' the 18-year-old said.
'He never compliments me, and that's not a bad thing. He's very good because he likes me and tells me what I should do, if I don't play he tells me to keep fighting.
'Yesterday was very hard in training, I thought about it at home... He's a great person, these two goals are for him.'
It was just the tonic Mbappe and Co. needed ahead of a busy month for Real who are battling hard both domestically and in Europe.
They host Las Palmas in La Liga on Sunday as they attempt to overhaul Atletico Madrid who are a point ahead at the top of the table.
They then take on RB Salzburg in the Champions League on Wednesday in desperate need of points as they sit 20th in the standings.
Read more 2025-01-17T01:14:21Z