Mbappe scores as Real Madrid win 3-0, but China TV stays off air

Kylian Mbappe put a difficult week behind him by scoring a penalty as Real Madrid won 3-0 at Racing Santander on Sunday, but Chinese state television did not show the match.

According to AFP reporters, the game kicked off at 1515 GMT and did not appear on either of CCTV's two sports channels. None of the other La Liga matches in this round have been shown live on Chinese public television so far.

The blackout follows a video that spread online in which Mbappe appeared to joke about former Chinese leader Mao Zedong. In the clip, he is shown saying the funniest meme about him was his face edited onto that of "some guy — I think he's a Chinese dictator".

China Media Group, which oversees CCTV, said it had suspended La Liga broadcasts and that apologies from Mbappe, Real Madrid and La Liga were a condition for moving on. All three have since said sorry, and China's foreign ministry said it took the player's apology "seriously".

Major Chinese brands cancelled sponsorship deals with Mbappe after his comments, according to AFP.

What it means for the title race

On the pitch, Madrid did their talking with goals. Mbappe won and converted a penalty in the 11th minute, his 12th league goal of the season. Only Barcelona's Raphinha, on 15, has more.

Jude Bellingham made it two after a pass from Arda Guler, reaching his 50th goal for Madrid since joining in 2023. Record signing Yan Diomande added the third from the edge of the box.

Racing, 16th and back in La Liga for the first time in 14 seasons, had a penalty cancelled after a VAR check. The spot kick had been awarded when Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni handled in the box. Bellingham also had a late goal ruled out for offside. It was Racing's first home defeat of the season.

"In the first half we were very good; we came out to play well," Madrid coach Jose Mourinho said. "The team is growing and playing well; I think we should have scored more goals with the chances we had."

Racing coach Jose Alberto told DAZN the penalty decision annoyed him, while accepting Madrid were much the better side in the first half hour.

The win keeps Madrid third, three points behind leaders Barcelona, who beat Alaves 6-1 on Saturday, and one point behind Atletico Madrid. It is Madrid's sixth straight win in all competitions.

For Nigerian fans who follow La Liga on television, the bigger question is where the matches will be shown. AFP found live games on Migu, a streaming service owned by state telecom China Mobile, including Barcelona's win on Saturday, but the Madrid game did not appear to be on it on Sunday.

It is still unclear whether talks to settle the dispute have begun.