Long wait over as Real Madrid ace finally delivers assist after more than 800 days | OneFootball

Real Madrid wasted no time in breaking the deadlock against Real Betis, taking less than 15 minutes to break the deadlock.

The opening goal came from Brahim Diaz, who finished off a well-worked attacking move that showcased the team’s early control of the game.

Regardless of the defeat, Los Blancos looked comfortable at the start, and their quick breakthrough was a testament to their intent.

Creating the move

The move leading to the goal was initiated by none other than Kylian Mbappe. The French forward, always a threat in the final third, found himself in possession on the edge of the penalty area.

With his trademark agility, he skillfully evaded a couple of defenders before picking out Ferland Mendy with a precise pass.

The left-back, not particularly known for his attacking contributions, made an uncharacteristically perfect play.

Ferland Mendy assisted a goal for the first time since 2022. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Instead of hesitating, he delivered a pinpoint assist to Brahim, who calmly slotted the ball past the helpless Adrian.

Assist after two and a half years

This assist was a rare sight for Mendy, marking his first contribution in setting up a goal for Real Madrid since the El Clasico on October 16, 2022. A staggering 867 days had passed without the French defender registering an assist.

He had gone through both the 2022/23 and 2023/24 seasons without managing to provide a single assist, making this moment even more special.

The reaction from his teammates made it clear how much they appreciated the occasion. David Alaba and Antonio Rudiger jokingly gave Mendy a few celebratory hits, a lighthearted tradition within the squad for those who either score or assist.

This assist was the ninth of Mendy’s Real Madrid career, with his best season in this regard coming in 2021/22 when he recorded five assists.

In contrast, he finished both the 2020/21 and 2023/24 campaigns without registering a single one. Interestingly, his goal tally is almost identical, as he has only managed to find the back of the net five times since joining the club in 2019.