Tag: Kylian Mbappe

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso on Monday stated that ace player Kylian Mbappe feels no anxiety to win the Champions League for the first time as Los Blancos prepare to face Marseille.

Mbappe, 26, left Paris Saint-Germain last summer to join record 15-time winners Madrid, only to see his former club go on to lift the trophy for the first time in their history.

“He’s not anxious, we all feel this is a project that’s just starting,” Alonso told a news conference ahead of Tuesday’s opening match at the Santiago Bernabeu.

“One of the objectives is to win the Champions League hopefully sooner rather than later, Kylian is part of the path to getting there, but I don’t think he’s anxious.

“Today we spoke about what the Champions League means, but we were not talking about May (and the final), we were talking about the near future.”

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Mbappe faced his former club PSG for the first time at the Club World Cup this summer, with Madrid thrashing 4-0 in the semi-finals.

However, the striker was not fully fit at the tournament in the United States because of a stomach bug, and has hit the ground running with four goals in four La Liga games this season.

“Gastroenteritis meant it was Kylian ‘lite’ at the Club World Cup,” said Alonso.

“Without doubt (he’s a leader), for his personality, experience, the influence he has on the others, he’s one of them.”

Real Madrid have won six of the last 12 Champions Leagues, but Alonso said he did not feel extra pressure because of the club’s rich history in the competition.

“It’s a fact, unquestionable, an honour, a motivation, and it is a responsibility you live with and enjoy,” added Alonso. “It’s a privilege.”

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Kylian Mbappe was at his brilliant best as Real Madrid showed grit to claim a 2-1 win at Real Sociedad in La Liga on Saturday, despite playing for an hour with 10 men after Dean Huijsen’s red card.

Mbappe and Arda Guler’s first-half goals were enough for Los Blancos to maintain their 100 per cent record, with Mikel Oyarzabal pulling one back for the hosts from the penalty spot.

Xabi Alonso’s side top the table on 12 points from four games, three ahead of second-placed Athletic Bilbao after they fell 1-0 against Alaves to tarnish their own perfect start.

Atletico Madrid earned their first win of the season with a 2-0 victory over fourth-place Villarreal, while champions Barcelona host Valencia on Sunday.

Madrid defender Huijsen was dismissed for pulling down Oyarzabal as he ran through on goal with Madrid leading 1-0 through Mbappe’s opener, and the Frenchman set up Guler for the second.

“The red card changed the game a bit, but we weren’t afraid, we scored the second… we suffered as a team, but we go home with the three points,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV.

“The start to the season has been very good, and mine too, but the season is nine months, 11 with a World Cup, so I have to play well for a lot more time (to come).”

Madrid lined up with Dani Carvajal at right-back, leaving Trent Alexander-Arnold on the bench, while Fede Valverde was rested and Dani Ceballos came in.

Mbappe broke the deadlock after 12 minutes when he sprinted on to a loose back-pass, beating two defenders for pace before producing a clinical finish for his fourth league goal this season.

Madrid’s task grew harder when Spanish centre-back Huijsen, signed from Bournemouth this summer, was dismissed for pulling back Oyarzabal as he ran towards goal.

“For me, it was a yellow card, (Militao) was close and the ball was not under control, and seeing the replay didn’t change my mind,” Alonso said.

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“I asked about it, (the referee) explained it, and it didn’t convince me.”

Despite their numerical disadvantage, the Guler doubled Madrid’s lead before the break with a neat finish after a superb run from French superstar Mbappe, who teed him up after floating inside from the left.

The hosts improved in the second half and won a penalty after a Carvajal handball, which Oyarzabal dispatched, but they could not find a way back.

Madrid’s victory ensures they will be the sole leaders, as Ernesto Valverde’s Athletic stumbled in a Basque derby.

Alejandro Berenguer’s own goal, deflecting Denis Suarez’s cross into his own net, split the teams at San Mames as hosts Athletic dominated but could not avoid defeat by Alaves.

Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid suffered two defeats and a draw in their opening fixtures but produced a far more impressive display to triumph at their Metropolitano stadium against Villarreal with goals from Pablo Barrios and debutant Nico Gonzalez.

The Rojiblancos were forced to bring off Julian Alvarez, Robin Le Normand, and David Hancko with knocks, a worry ahead of their Champions League opener at Liverpool on Wednesday.

“Our fans supported us today when we needed it most,” Atletico skipper Koke told Movistar. “Hopefully the (hurt) players rest well, we have a very important game against Liverpool.”

Simeone said he was pleased with his team’s performance and will find out more information on Sunday about the players who went off with knocks.

“It’s a shame we didn’t have the calm we needed (to score more), but I’m very happy with the team,” said Simeone.

“I haven’t spoken to the doctor about the players who went off hurt, but in general, it’s discomfort, knocks, tomorrow we’ll know more.”

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Kylian Mbappe was again on target for Real Madrid as they overcame Real Oviedo 3-0 in La Liga on Sunday.

For Oviedo, returning to Spain’s top flight after an absence of almost a quarter of a century, the arrival of the 15-time European champions was a gala occasion, and the Asturian fans made their presence heard.

Star turns Mbappe and Vinicius Junior made the difference in the north of Spain. The Frenchman notched a brace before the Brazilian slid in a late third.

Coach Xabi Alonso made a couple of notable changes to his starting line-up from Madrid’s opening 1-0 win against Osasuna, dropping Vinicius and Trent Alexander-Arnold for Rodrygo Goes and club captain Dani Carvajal, returning from injury.

The dropped Vinicius responded by producing an assist and a goal in his half-hour cameo.

“It was a very serious, very complete game,” said Alonso. “With and without the ball. Playing as a team.

“And Vini came on and had a role in those two goals that gave us peace of mind. There will be games for everyone. Decisions are made with the team in mind, and that’s how it was today.”

Argentinian teenage sensation Franco Mastantuono made his full debut in another change for Real Madrid.

The 18-year-old showed his explosive dribbling ability early on when he burst past two defenders into the Oviedo box before going down and looking appealingly at the uninterested referee.

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A rare foray forward by the hosts saw Leander Dendoncker try to catch Thibaut Courtois out with a chipped effort in the 23rd minute, but the Belgian shotstopper easily gathered the ball.

Real Madrid came close to forcing a breakthrough when Arda Guler’s drive from inside the box was excellently saved by goalkeeper Aaron Escandell.

The Turkish international turned provider as he drilled a pass into Mbappe’s feet on 37 minutes, which the Frenchman welcomed on the turn before firing across Escandell.

The goal was met by furious protests from the home side. Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni seemed to follow through strongly on Dendoncker when winning possession back for his side in the build-up.

Rodrygo and the lively Mastantuono made way for Vinicius and Brahim Diaz just after the hour.

Diaz immediately created a chance for the galloping Fede Valverde, but Escandell produced a fingertip save.

Kwasi Sibo came within inches of sending the home support wild when, out of nowhere, he struck the post for Oviedo with Courtois rooted to the spot on 81 minutes.

That chance woke Real Madrid up. Vinicius won the ball two minutes later and drove forward before slipping a disguised pass to Mbappe, who slotted home first time.

The Brazilian scored in the 93rd minute, when Diaz found him in space and he slid home a composed finish.

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French superstar Kylian Mbappe is set to don the iconic number 10 jersey at Real Madrid next season, replacing club legend Luka Modric, who has joined AC Milan, international media reported on Wednesday.

Mbappe had worn the No. 9 shirt during his debut campaign with Los Blancos, but will now switch to No. 10, the same number he wears for France.

The number was previously held by Modric, who ended his 13-year stint at the Bernabeu this summer.

Reports suggest that Kylian Mbappe had been eyeing the number 10 jersey from the beginning and was willing to wait another season had Modric extended his contract.

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The 25-year-old had a prolific debut season in Madrid following his high-profile move from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in July 2024. He netted 44 goals across all competitions.

However, despite his individual brilliance, the season ended without silverware for the Spanish giants, finishing behind Barcelona in La Liga, crashing out in the Champions League quarterfinals to Arsenal, and falling to PSG in the FIFA Club World Cup semis.

Real Madrid also lost the Copa del Rey final to arch-rivals Barcelona on April 26.

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Kylian Mbappe has been left out of the Real Madrid squad for Thursday’s final Club World Cup group game against Red Bull Salzburg, despite returning to training following illness.

The French superstar did not feature in the list of 23 players named by coach Xabi Alonso and published by the club for the match in Philadelphia, in which the two teams are targeting a place in the last 16.

Mbappe had returned to training on Wednesday after missing Real’s first two matches at the tournament in the United States due to illness.

He was taken to the hospital last Thursday for tests and treatment after suffering gastroenteritis, before later being released.

He played no part in Real’s opening game, a 1-1 draw with Saudi side Al-Hilal in Miami, or the 3-1 defeat of Mexico’s Pachuca at the weekend.

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Alonso did indicate after the latter game that Mbappe was on the mend, saying: “He is doing better, he is recovering.”

Real Madrid posted images of Kylian Mbappe in training on Wednesday on their website, as the squad worked out at their Florida base before travelling north in the afternoon to Philadelphia.

It is there, at Lincoln Financial Field, where Madrid will take on the Austrians in their final Group H match and will be looking for a victory which will confirm their progress to the last 16 in first place in the section.

A draw can also take them through to the next round, with Manchester City and Juventus the possible opponents in the last 16.

Mbappe has scored 43 goals in 56 appearances since joining Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain last year. His last game was for France in a 2-0 win away to Germany in the UEFA Nations League on June 8.

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Ill Real Madrid striker Kylian Mbappe did not travel to Charlotte for the team’s Club World Cup match against Pachuca, but could be back for the final group stage game, coach Xabi Alonso said on Saturday.

The French superstar was taken to hospital on Thursday for tests and treatment after suffering gastroenteritis, before later being released.

Kylian Mbappe is improving “bit by bit” a club source told AFP, but he did not fly with his team-mates for Sunday’s match against Mexican side Pachuca.

Real coach Xabi Alonso addressed the striker’s condition during his pre-match press conference.

“He’s doing better, he’s back from the hospital and is recovering. We’re optimistic about having him against Salzburg,” he said.

Madrid face Salzburg in the final game of Group H on Thursday in Philadelphia.

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Kylian Mbappe missed the opening game with the same illness as Madrid were held 1-1 by Al-Hilal in Xabi Alonso’s debut as coach.

Madrid B-team player Gonzalo Garcia, 21, started in Mbappe’s stead and opened the scoring for Real Madrid against their Saudi Arabian opponents.

Alonso indicated that Gonzalo would again deputise for the Frenchman.

“Gonzalo can do what he did the other day. He scored a goal and had three chances. Looking ahead, we’ll see what happens. Having players with that sense of smell is very important. He did very well,” he said.

Mbappe finished as the European Golden Shoe winner in his first season at Real Madrid with 31 goals in La Liga and 43 across all competitions, but Los Blancos finished the season without a major trophy.

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Real Madrid could be without striker Kylian Mbappe for their Club World Cup opener against Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal after the Frenchman missed training due to illness.

New head coach Xabi Alonso will make his debut on the Real bench for the Group H match at Hard Rock Stadium and could be without several regulars.

Defender Antonio Rudiger and the versatile Eduardo Camavinga are also likely to miss out against the Saudi team.

“Kylian Mbappe was feeling a little better this morning, but not enough. It’s very hot and it was better that he didn’t train. But we will wait until the last moment. Tomorrow morning we will decide,” said Alonso.

“Rudiger made a brutal effort this season, and I don’t know if he will be called up tomorrow, but he is progressing well and will be the first to return. Camavinga is also improving quickly, but he needs time,” he added.

Al Hilal will also have a new coach on the bench with Italian Simone Inzaghi having joined after leading Inter Milan to the Champions League final.

Alonso said the change of coach means that it is difficult to know what to expect from Wednesday’s opponents.

“We have to prepare for the game in the best possible way. They will be a tough opponent, without a doubt. But it’s time to focus on ourselves. They haven’t made their debut with Inzaghi yet, so we don’t know how they will play.

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“We have to have hunger to win, to compete, to want to play well. We have to mix a lot of things, but that self-love, that feeling of team, that defending the badge… The team already has it, but we have to work on it. We must be a team,” he said.

Alonso was asked about the right-back position where Dani Carvajal faces competition from new arrival Trent Alexander-Arnold, who has joined from Liverpool.

“It is a privilege to have such top players. Trent is more flexible in positions, but Carva has a lot of personality and competitiveness. The initial impact of Trent has been very good.”

Alonso was quizzed for his opinions on several players and, unsurprisingly, was upbeat about his squad, suggesting that England’s Jude Bellingham may be more effective in a central midfield role than in the more advanced position he has sometimes operated in.

“Jude has the ability to cover a lot of the pitch. He has the soul of a midfielder, he likes to participate, but he has the great quality to arrive. The important thing is the starting point. Finding him in the right places is going to help us because he has impressive qualities,” he said.

Alonso will get a brief spell to enjoy working with Croatian midfielder Luka Modric before the 39-year-old leaves the club.

“It’s easy with him. We always had a great relationship, friends and now coach-player. I like his relationship with the younger ones; he is a very good influence. We want to enjoy him in these weeks. He’s a player of the era, being able to squeeze him a little more will be a luxury,” he said.

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Kylian Mbappe struck twice as Real Madrid held off Celta Vigo with a thrilling 3-2 win to stay within sight of La Liga leaders Barcelona.

After the Catalans scraped a comeback win at Valladolid on Saturday, Madrid survived a late Celta fightback to maintain the four-point gap ahead of next Sunday’s Clasico.

Defending champions Madrid, second, took a three-goal lead but were left clinging on at the Santiago Bernabeu against a Celta side seventh and hoping to qualify for European football next season.

Madrid’s Champions League defence crumbled and Los Blancos were also beaten in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona last week, but Los Blancos are still hopeful of overhauling Hansi Flick’s side in La Liga.

“We had a very good first half (but)… we fell apart, these things can’t happen, it’s happened to us a lot,” admitted Real Madrid midfielder Fede Valverde on the club’s television channel.

“We left a lot minutes for them to get comfortable and they are a great team and they put us in a tough spot.”

Carlo Ancelotti’s side came into the game with a spate of defensive injuries but after riding out an early wave of Celta chances took control, with Turkish 20-year-old Arda Guler pulling the strings.

With Rodrygo Goes out with illness the youngster started in his stead and took full advantage.

Guler directed a spectacular overhead effort wide of goal in the opening stages, showing his ambition has no limits.

Former Barcelona defender Marcos Alonso headed just over and then forced a fine save from Thibaut Courtois, as Celta threatened.

Aurelien Tchouameni headed over when well-placed at the other end, as Madrid stifled the visitors.

Madrid opened the scoring through Guler after 33 minutes, when the playmaker cleverly worked some space in the box and then brilliantly curled a strike past the reach of Vicente Guaita.

Kylian Mbappe doubled Madrid’s lead after 39 minutes at the sharp end of a rapid breakaway.

Courtois saved well from Borja Iglesias and immediately Madrid thrust forward, with Bellingham setting Mbappe free down the right.

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The French superstar ruthlessly lashed past Guaita from just inside the area.

Just three minutes into the second half, Mbappe struck again for his 24th league goal of the season, putting him one behind the top scorer, Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.

Guler was the creator, playing in the striker with a perfectly-weighted ball and Mbappe finished low with a stroke of his left boot.

It seemed the game was won for Madrid but Javier Rodriguez pulled Celta back into it with a finish from close range after a corner was wrongly awarded to Celta.

Lucas Vazquez blocked Pablo Duran’s backheeled effort on the line but Rodriguez was on hand to pounce.

Iago Aspas’ introduction off the bench for the Galicians immediately gave them more attacking impetus and he produced a superb pass for Williot Swedberg to slot a second past Courtois.

The Belgian goalkeeper had his heart in his mouth a few minutes later as Duran’s shot slipped out of his hands and could have squirmed across the line behind him if it had not slowed to a stop on the grass.

If Madrid had dropped points it would have allowed Barcelona to lift the title next weekend with a Clasico victory.

“It’s the game of the year for us, the last chance for us to win La Liga,” said Valverde.

“We will try our best to take the three points.”

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Kylian Mbappe helped Real Madrid climb top of La Liga with a 2-1 win at Villarreal on Saturday despite coach Carlo Ancelotti’s complaints that his team was “exhausted”.

Los Blancos moved three points clear of rivals Barcelona, having played two extra games, with the Catalans visiting third place Atletico Madrid on Sunday in a key clash in the Spanish title race.

Madrid were unhappy the game was taking place fewer than 72 hours after their Champions League win on penalties against Atletico on Wednesday.

“The team has something special, character, commitment,” Ancelotti told reporters, insisting Madrid would refuse to play without “72 hours of rest” between matches as recommended by world football governing body FIFA.

However, despite their complaints, they had enough in the tank to beat their opponents, fifth, at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

“We kept going on a physical level, above all in the second half, the team ended up exhausted, but that was to be expected,” said Ancelotti.

“It’s a win that says a lot about this team and the ability this squad has.”

Ancelotti began with Vinicius Junior on the bench after the draining victory against Atletico in the last 16.

Villarreal started strongly and Thibaut Courtois got down well to his right to tip Ayoze Perez’s shot around the post.

From the resulting corner Villarreal took the lead, with the ball rebounding to Juan Foyth, who smashed home from close range.

Ancelotti’s side hit back quickly, with Kylian Mbappe levelling after 17 minutes.

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Brahim Diaz’s attempted lob was saved by Diego Conde, but the French striker dispatched the rebound with minimal fuss.

Soon Kylian Mbappe had his second, helping to spread the ball to the right and then finishing with aplomb after Lucas Vazquez found him in the middle of the box.

It was Mbappe’s 20th league goal of the season, putting him one behind the top scorer, Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.

Content with their lead Madrid soaked up Villarreal pressure in the rest of the first half, with Courtois saving well from Nicolas Pepe.

Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia Toral sent on Thierno Barry for Pepe at the break, as the Yellow Submarine looked to avoid a first home defeat in La Liga by Madrid since 2017.

Foyth might have levelled early in the second half but volleyed over the bar when well placed.

Ancelotti sent on Vinicius and Luka Modric to try and help Madrid put the game to bed and they regained some control from the enterprising hosts.

Conde saved from Fede Valverde and at the other end Perez came close with a sharp turn and powerful effort which flew just over Courtois’ crossbar, which was as close as his side came to a leveller.

“The start wasn’t the best but that’s normal with little rest that it’s hard on the legs, but then we came back quickly, we defended well, we were very tired but the commitment we showed was important,” Courtois told Real Madrid TV.

Now Ancelotti and his side can sit back and watch the two teams below them duke it out at the Metropolitano stadium.

“For us it was important to win today, obviously I will watch it, because it will be a very entertaining game,” said Ancelotti.

“Tomorrow I will be a football fan, and nothing more.”

Earlier Mallorca beat Espanyol 2-1 with a late Vedat Muriqi penalty, with the target man making amends after scoring an own goal and missing another spot-kick.

Celta Vigo beat bottom of the table Valladolid 1-0 in La Liga , inflicting their 20th defeat of the season.

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Kylian Mbappe struck twice and produced a brilliant performance to power Real Madrid to a 4-1 win over Las Palmas and take the reigning champions to the top of La Liga on Sunday.

Los Blancos enjoyed a perfect weekend, overtaking Atletico Madrid by two points after their neighbours slipped up with a shock defeat at Leganes on Saturday, while Barcelona, third, could only draw at Getafe.

Mbappe has hit top form in recent weeks after an inconsistent start to life at Real Madrid following his dream switch from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

The 26-year-old reached 12 league goals with his brace, becoming the Spanish league’s second top-scorer behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, with Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo Goes also on target.

“It was a very important game because we knew what had happened yesterday, with Atletico and Barca, we wanted to win and we did,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV.

“We started badly, letting in a goal (so early)… but the reaction was top.

“We got the ball forward, quickly, attacking the spaces and with quality, we scored a lot of goals… we’re happy because we’re leaders.”

Mbappe has 18 goals for the season in 30 appearances across all competitions, and is looking increasingly crucial for his side in attack.

With Vinicius Junior suspended, the spotlight was on the French forward at the Santiago Bernabeu and he delivered with a sparkling performance.

“I am very happy, I have adapted to the team and I can play how I want, with my team-mates, with personality,” continued Mbappe.

“I think that we are all enjoying it.”

Madrid were thrashed by Barcelona last week in the Spanish Super Cup final, leading to some whistles for the team when they played at home in midweek in the Copa del Rey.

Kylian Mbappe posted on the social media network Instagram to encourage the fans to stick together and support the team.

“I think we have to be united, and like that, we can go for all the trophies,” he explained.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was questioned over his positioning of Mbappe earlier in the season, using the striker through the middle instead of on the left, where Vinicius plays and Mbappe often did at PSG.

“He’s the best central striker in the world,” said Ancelotti.

“He’s a great forward, he’s very comfortable in the middle, more than on the wing, his ability to get away from players is unique and inside he can take better advantage of that.”

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Las Palmas took a surprise lead in just over 30 seconds when a rapid move sliced open Madrid’s defence.

Sandro Ramirez crossed for Fabio Silva to apply the finishing touch from close range.

Real Madrid hit back strongly, with Diaz shooting wide when he should have scored, and Mbappe’s fierce effort tipped away by Jasper Cillessen.

Kylian Mbappe, who suffered heavy criticism after missing two penalties towards the end of 2024, levelled from the spot after Sandro clumsily felled Rodrygo.

The striker was involved in Madrid’s second goal, with the rebound from his saved shot falling to Lucas Vazquez, who squared for Diaz to convert.

Mbappe netted his second with a fine finish which arced into the top corner after Rodrygo cut the ball back.

Mbappe thought he had completed his hat-trick before the break but the goal was ruled offside in the build-up.

Rodrygo stroked home the fourth from Fran Garcia’s low cross after Mbappe played the left-back in early in the second half.

Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde had strikes ruled out for offside as Madrid continued to dominate, and they were able to welcome David Alaba back as a substitute after more than a year out with a serious knee injury.

“(Alaba) is a player who can help us a lot, you don’t know how much it means for us to have him back on the pitch with us,” Madrid’s Dani Ceballos told DAZN.

Midfielder Ceballos had one of his best games for Madrid and was given an ovation by the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I have worked, waited for my moment, and now I have to keep working,” he added.

Athletic Bilbao, fourth in the La Liga points table, won 2-1 at Celta Vigo earlier Sunday to pull level on points with third-place Barcelona.

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