Mbappe inspires Real Madrid to victory over struggling Leganes

Kylian Mbappe scored a brace to ensure Real Madrid take home the victory against Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid won 3-2, with Mbappe and Jude Bellingham goals turning the game around, as they close the gap on Barcelona.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side played below par, but went on to ensure all three points. The game sprung to life in the 30th minute, when Mbappe dunk home a panenka to put the hosts ahead.

Arder Guler was fouled in the box by Oscar Rodriguez and the Frenchman calmly lobbed the ball in from the spotkick.

However, the lead was short-lived as Diego Garcia equalised for the visitors 60 seconds after. Following the restart of the game, the Leganes side pressured immediately, and a cutback by Valentin Rosier was miss-kicked by Dani Raba, but Garcia was at the right position to tap in for the leveller, as Lucas Vazquez failed to clear the ball off.

The visitors went on to stun Los Blancos before the break as Raba put Leganes 2-1 ahead. The turnaround came eight minutes after the equaliser, as Raba turned home Javi Hernandez’s low cross from close range.

The defending champions then fought back as the levelled after the restart of the second-half. A goalmouth scramble was placed well for Bellingham to thump into the back of the net.

Los Blancos kept on the pressure as they hoped to find the winner. Brahim Diaz struck the post before Mbappe sealed the victory in the 75th minute, curling in a superb free-kick to make it 3-2.

Real Madrid are now levelled on points with Barcelona, who are yet to play. Ancelotti’s side will hope for a loss for their rivals, as the Catalans host Girona on Sunday.

Meanwhile, Mbappe has matched Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2009/10 debut season goals for Madrid, as he made it 33 with the brace. He only has Ivan Zamarano now ahead of him in that list.

Ancelotti’s team will next be facing Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey semi final second leg tie on April 1.