Real Madrid moved into second spot in La Liga as Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in their 3-0 win at Leganes on Sunday night.
Real were given the chance to cut the lead at the top of the table after Barcelona’s 2-2 draw at Celta Vigo on Saturday.
Carlo Ancelotti picked Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Jr. and Mbappe once more, and the latter two combined for the opener.
After a frustrating first half, the Brazilian teed up the Frenchman to slot home at the far post.
In the second half, Federico Valverde converted a well-worked free kick with a fierce shot to double the team’s advantage.
With the game’s end in sight, Bellingham nodded into an empty net to make it three.
The victory moves Real into second place as they leapfrog Atletico Madrid, and if they win their game in hand they would be just a point behind league leaders Barcelona.
Talking point – Mbappe and Vinicius show signs of life
The two strikers are yet to properly dovetail and make the most of one another, but Carlo Ancelotti showed at Leganes that there may be a way forward.
As the two players got used to one another’s position, and false nine Jude Bellingham created space, Vini and Mbappe linked up for the opening game.
If Real are to win the league this season, they will need the relationship to continue to develop.
Player of the match – Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
He scored the first goal of the game and had another disallowed, and his body language looked far more relaxed than it has at times. Mbappe is yet to reach his peak in Spain, but he is showing signs of a cutting edge once more.
Player ratings
Leganes: Dmitrovic 7, Altimira 6, Sergio 6, Darko 6, Nastasic 6, Tapia 5, Hernandez 5, Neyou 5, Munir 6, Cruz 5, De La Fuente 6. Subs: Raba 6, Rosier 6, Haller 6, Chicco 6, Naim 6.
Real Madrid: Courtois 6, Valverde 7, Asencio 6, Rudiger 6, Garcia 6, Guler 7, Camavinga 6, Ceballos 6, Bellingham 7, Vinicius Jr. 7, Mbappe 7. Subs: Modric 6, Endrick 6, Brahim 7.
Key events
10’ – GOAL! NO! MBAPPE IS OFFSIDE – The Frenchman looks to have broken through the offside trap – but the review shows he’s a shoulder or more offside – and he whips in a smart finish that is disallowed.
43’- GOAL! LEGANES 0-1 REAL MADRID – MBAPPE SCORES – Vinicius gets to a ball just ahead of a defender’s outstretched leg, bursting into the box. The Brazilian looks up, slides the ball across the box, and Mbappe is at the back post to slot home.
66’ – GOAL! LEGANES 0-2 REAL MADRID – VALVERDE SCORES – The Uruguayan is teed up on the edge of the box from the free kick, and he drills in a low shot at the near post at a fierce pace.
74’ – DMITROVIC SAVE – Guler is slipped in on the left by Vinicius Jr., and he fires in a low shot that is well stopped by the keeper.
83’ – MBAPPE CHANCE – Through on goal once more, slightly to the right, and he fires in a rising shot that Dmitrovic beats away smartly.
85’ – GOAL! LEGANES 0-3 REAL MADRID – BELLINGHAM SCORES – Modric curls in a corner that is not properly cleared. The ball is worked to Brahim, his shot is deflected onto the bar, and Bellingham stoops in to head into a gaping net.
Key stat
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