MASTERFUL MBAPPE STRIKES TWICE

Kylian Mbappe scored twice in three minutes and teenager Franco Mastantuono made his scoring debut with Real Madrid in a 4-1 win at Levante in the Spanish league on Tuesday, a result that extended the club's winning run.

Vinicius Junior also found the net for Madrid as Los Blancos earned a sixth straight league victory this season.

"We played a very complete game," Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said. "We need to keep this momentum. This is just the beginning and we want to keep competing well.

"It was a very good game, from the start, we were really committed in defense, and the first goal was fundamental to go ahead and give us confidence."

Mbappe scored Madrid's third goal by converting a 64th-minute penalty kick — Panenka style — after he was fouled inside the area.

The France international added the fourth in the 66th after getting past the goalkeeper and finding the open net. The goals took Mbappe's total to nine in seven matches with Madrid this season. He also scored twice in two matches with France's national team.

The 18-year-old Mastantuono, signed from River Plate in the summer and, making his fifth start for Madrid, scored in the 38th minute with a shot from inside the area into the top right corner.

"I was waiting for this goal," he said. "It helps me gain even more confidence within the squad."

Vinicius, who had complained about being substituted by Alonso in the team's previous match, had put Madrid ahead with a neat strike into the far corner in the 28th. The Brazil forward hadn't scored in his last three matches.

"He had a decisive performance," Alonso said of Vinicius.

Levante pulled closer with a Karl Etta Eyong header from close range in the 54th, in what was the team's first attempt on target.

Madrid is the only team in La Liga to have won all of its six league matches this season. It also won its Champions League opener against Marseille.

The latest victory increased Madrid's lead to five points over defending champion Barcelona, which is set to visit newly promoted Oviedo on Thursday.

"There are still things we can do better, but we're on a good path and we have to continue along it," said Alonso, with his side set to face crosstown rival Atletico on Saturday.

"We're in a construction phase. There's still a lot we have to do.

"We're building a solid base, and, in the team, many players feel connected and important."

Levante, also promoted to the top division this season, was winless in its first four matches, but was coming off a 4-0 victory at Girona in the previous round.

Madrid and Levante wore specially designed jerseys to celebrate the International Day of Sign Languages.

Winless streaks go on

Athletic Bilbao and Girona couldn't manage more than a 1-1 draw, further extending their respective winless streaks.

Mikel Jauregizar scored a 48th-minute equalizer for Athletic after Azzedine Ounahi had opened the scoring in the ninth minute for Girona, which is yet to win in six matches this season.

The Catalan club lost four straight to start its campaign, then drew two of its last three games.

It has been outscored 16-3 so far this season.

Athletic started with three straight victories, but then lost three in a row coming into the home match against Girona. One of the losses was against Arsenal in the league phase of the Champions League.

Valencia concedes late

Valencia was on its way to its third win in four league matches when it conceded a goal late in stoppage time in a 2-2 draw at Espanyol.

Leandro Cabrera got the host on the board in the 59th minute, canceling out Valencia's 15th-minute opener from Arnaut Danjuma.

Hugo Duro put the visitor back in the lead in the 62nd, before Javi Puado scored six minutes into added time for the Catalan side.

Valencia was coming off a 2-0 win against Athletic at home. Espanyol had won three of its first four matches, but lost 2-0 at Real Madrid in the previous round.

Third-place Villarreal won 2-1 at Sevilla for its second victory in a row when Manor Solomon scored an 86th-minute winner.

Agencies Via Xinhua