PIRAEUS, GREECE – Kylian Mbappe delivered a masterful performance, scoring all four goals to guide Real Madrid to a nail-biting 4-3 victory against Olympiacos in a UEFA Champions League thriller on Wednesday, November 26, 2025. The match, held at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, saw the French superstar score the second-fastest hat-trick in the competition's history, ending a three-match winless streak for the Spanish giants.

The game began unexpectedly for Real Madrid, with Olympiacos taking an early lead in the eighth minute. A well-worked team move culminated in Francisco Chiquinho firing a powerful 20-yard strike past stand-in goalkeeper Andriy Lunin. The Greek side's early pressure nearly resulted in a second goal, but Lunin produced a crucial save to keep Madrid in the contest.

Mbappe's Historic Hat-Trick

Real Madrid's response was swift and decisive, led by an unstoppable Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman equalized in the 22nd minute, latching onto a sublime pass from Vinicius Jr. before calmly finishing. Just two minutes later, Mbappe headed in a cross from Arda Guler to put Madrid ahead. He completed his historic hat-trick in the 28th minute, beating the offside trap from an Eduardo Camavinga pass to make it 3-1. The three goals came in a blistering span of six minutes and 42 seconds, a feat bettered only by Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (6 minutes, 12 seconds) against Rangers in 2022.

Real Madrid continued to dominate the first half. Vinicius Jr. found the net shortly after, but his goal was disallowed for an offside against Mbappe in the build-up. Aurelien Tchouameni also came close, his long-range effort striking the crossbar.

A Tense Second Half

Olympiacos emerged from the break with renewed determination. In the 52nd minute, substitute Mehdi Taremi, who had replaced the injured Chiquinho, headed in a cross to reduce the deficit to 3-2. However, Mbappe restored Madrid's two-goal advantage at the hour mark, tapping in his fourth of the night after excellent work and a second assist from Vinicius Jr. The goal marked his ninth in five Champions League matches this season, making him the competition's leading scorer.

The drama was not over, as Ayoub El Kaabi scored Olympiacos' third goal with a header in the 81st minute, setting up a tense finale. Despite late pressure from the home side, Real Madrid held on for their first-ever competitive win in Greece on their tenth attempt.

Relevance for Kenyan Audiences

The UEFA Champions League enjoys immense popularity in Kenya, with millions of fans following the tournament closely. European football, particularly the English Premier League and the Champions League, has a significant cultural and economic impact, driving a massive sports betting industry. High-stakes matches featuring global superstars like Mbappe are eagerly anticipated events, viewed in homes and entertainment venues across the country. The thrilling nature of this seven-goal encounter and Mbappe's record-breaking performance undoubtedly captured the attention of this large and passionate fanbase, fueling discussions and betting activities that are a prominent feature of Kenya's contemporary social landscape.