Kylian Mbappe's second-half brace powered Real Madrid to a hard-fought 2-0 win over Real Betis in Sunday's LaLiga clash.
Madrid controlled possession but struggled against a well-organised Betis defence until they finally managed to break the deadlock in the 67th minute.
Mbappe struck his first goal in LaLiga with a close-range effort from a brilliant back-heel pass by midfielder Federico Valverde, and the forward would soon add to his account shortly after.
The France captain secured all three points eight minutes later from the penalty spot after Vinicius Junior was fouled inside the box by goalkeeper Rui Silva.
Madrid moved to second in the standings with eight points, four behind leaders Barcelona, while Betis are 17th on two.
Data Debrief: Mbappe's wait proves worthwhile
The expectations remain high on Mbappe following his headline move from Paris Saint-Germain to the Spanish capital this season, with the France forward failing to score in his first three league games.
Heading into this fixture, Mbappe had attempted the most shots this season (17) across Europe's top five leagues, and had the worst difference between expected goals (1.8 xG) and goals scored (none).
Yet the World Cup-winning forward quietened his doubters here, firing nine shots across a one-man attempt to break down Betis.
That paid dividends, however, with his two clinical finishes securing a much-needed victory, and moving Madrid to 26 home games in LaLiga unbeaten (W22 D4), their best run in 11 years (34 between January 2012 and September 2013).
Away from Mbappe, at the back, Madrid have also not conceded in their last five LaLiga games at home for the first time in the competition since October 1996.
Mbappe, coupled with Carlo Ancelotti's well-drilled defence, could be the difference for back-to-back LaLiga crowns by the end of the campaign.
PSG triumph helps navigate Champions League unknown, claims Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique is confident that Paris Saint-Germain's 3-1 win against Lille will stand them in good stead ahead of their quest for Champions League glory.
The Spaniard watched on as his side took their scoring to 13 from their first three Ligue 1 games and maintaining PSG's perfect start to the campaign.
Vitinha's penalty and Bradley Barcola's strike gave the visitors an advantage at the break, with Randal Kolo Muani scoring in second-half injury time to confirm the win after Edon Zhegrova had halved the deficit.
The Parisiens enter the international break two points clear of Marseille at the summit, but their attention will quickly to the Champions League later this month.
Enrique's side have been handed a difficult draw for the competition, squaring off against European heavyweights Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid as their standout encounters.
They kickstart their campaign against Girona on September 18, with the PSG head coach confident that their victory over Lille, who will also compete in the competition this season, was a good test for his players.
"It was an away game against a team who play in the Champions League, who have already played several games and have a very different rhythm to us," Luis Enrique said.
"It was a very good test for us, it was a Champions League match for us. I'm pretty happy with the team's performance."
The revamped Champions League format has been extended to 36 teams this season, with each playing eight fixtures in the first round of the competition.
PSG return from the international break with a fixture against another Champions League hopeful, Brest, four days before they begin their journey for that elusive maiden European title.
"There's the match against Brest after the break and that will have nothing to do with the Champions League and its new format," Enrique said.
"I can't know what that will be like. My team is showing signs of confidence but we still lack physical rhythm in several of our players.
"The Champions League is very different and full of new things."
'I don't think so' - Guardiola delivers Carsley crushing Foden update
Phil Foden is unlikely to link up with the England squad due to illness, according to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola.
Foden, who scooped the PFA's Player of the Year last month, has played just 45 minutes this season in City's 2-0 win over Chelsea on the opening day of the campaign.
The 24-year-old had been called up by new England interim boss Lee Carsley for the Nations League matches against the Republic of Ireland and Finland.
But Guardiola believes the midfielder will not be fit enough to link up with his national side, saying after their win over West Ham: “I don’t think so right now.
“I think he will not go but I don’t know. He doesn’t feel well. But national teams, they decide.
“He doesn’t feel good. It’s his stomach, a little virus. But the people said with antibiotics and so on he will be fine.”
Foden’s absence from the England squad will be the second notable name to miss out from their Euro 2024 squad, with Jude Bellingham nursing a calf injury.
The City man enjoyed a stellar season under Guardiola last term, producing 39 goal involvements (27 goals and 12 assists) in all competitions.
But that form failed to transpire during Gareth Southgate's tenure, further highlighted by not registering a goal or an assist for the Three Lions at their most recent tournament.
Foden's best position within the England squad has been the centre of attention in recent seasons, often operating out wide rather than centrally where he has proved to be more effective for his club.
He has made 41 appearances for England but scored just four goals, with his last strike for his country coming in an international friendly against Scotland last year.
PSG triumph helps navigate Champions League unknown, insists Luis Enrique
Luis Enrique is confident that Paris Saint-Germain's 3-1 win against Lille will stand them in good stead ahead of their quest for Champions League glory.
The Spaniard watched on as his side took their scoring to 13 from their first three Ligue 1 games, maintaining PSG's perfect start to the campaign.
Vitinha's penalty and Bradley Barcola's strike gave the visitors an advantage at the break, with Randal Kolo Muani scoring in second-half injury time to confirm the win after Edon Zhegrova had halved the deficit.
The Parisiens enter the international break two points clear of Marseille at the summit, but their attention will quickly to the Champions League later this month.
Enrique's side have been handed a difficult draw for the competition, squaring off against European heavyweights Manchester City, Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid.
They kickstart their campaign against Girona on September 18, with the PSG head coach confident that their encounter with Lille, who will also compete in the competition this season, was a good test for his players.
"It was an away game against a team who play in the Champions League, who have already played several games and have a very different rhythm to us," Luis Enrique said.
"It was a very good test for us, it was a Champions League match for us. I'm pretty happy with the team's performance."
The revamped Champions League format has been extended to 36 teams this season, with each playing eight fixtures in the first round of the competition.
PSG return from the international break with a fixture against another Champions League hopeful, Brest, four days before they begin their journey for that elusive maiden European title.
"There's the match against Brest after the break and that will have nothing to do with the Champions League and its new format," Enrique said.
"I can't know what that will be like. My team is showing signs of confidence but we still lack physical rhythm in several of our players.
"The Champions League is very different and full of new things."
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