Kylian Mbappe delivered a stunning brace as Real Madrid staged a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Leganes on Saturday, drawing level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side triumphed in an entertaining clash at the Santiago Bernabeu, ramping up pressure on their arch-rivals, who face Girona in a Catalan derby on Sunday.
Mbappe had opened Los Blancos up with a cool penalty, but Leganes fired back in first-half stoppages through Diego Garcia and Dani Raba.
Jude Bellingham equalized at the beginning of the second period, and Mbappe finished it off with an amazing free-kick to grab three important points for the champions.
With Madrid and Barcelona each being six points clear of third-placed Atletico Madrid, who were frustratingly denied victory at Espanyol earlier on Saturday, the title race remains as heated as ever.
Mbappe Ties Ronaldo’s Record First Season
“(Mbappe) is making the difference, and that’s exactly what we expect from him,” Ancelotti gushed in admiration of his talismanic striker.
The double by French forward took his season tally to 33 goals in 44 games for all competitions, making him and Cristiano Ronaldo the only two players in their inaugural 2009-10 season at Real Madrid to have done so.
It’s very unique. Sharing the same number of goals as Cristiano is always a good thing,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV in an interview. “We all know what he means to this club. He advises me a lot, but the focus here is on winning titles.”.
Ancelotti dropped Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo following their Brazil international, replacing them with Mbappe alongside Brahim Diaz up front.
Madrid broke the deadlock in farcical circumstances, with Oscar Rodriguez being involved with Arda Guler resulting in a penalty, which Mbappe despatched clinically with a stealthy Panenka.
But the lead was short-lived as Diego Garcia leveled for Leganes. In a matter of minutes, Diaz lost possession, and the visitors capitalized, Raba finishing a well-worked move.
Madrid responded in the second half. Bellingham, his eighth league goal of the season, converted a rebound from Diaz’s shot which was blocked.
The momentum changed further as Diaz hit the post before Ancelotti brought on Vinicius and Rodrygo with a double substitution to apply further pressure on Madrid.
Mbappe ultimately won it again with a stunning free-kick, curling the ball into the net in the 76th minute.
“Yesterday, he trained it and it went well, and he thought about trying it today,” Ancelotti explained.
The French forward is now just a single strike back from Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in the Golden Boot race for La Liga.
Atletico’s Title Hopes Fade Further
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid’s title aspirations were dealt another setback as they were forced to a 1-1 draw with Espanyol.
Javi Puado’s penalty canceled out Cesar Azpilicueta’s stunning opener, leaving Diego Simeone’s side frustrated.
“Two huge points slipped away,” Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak admitted. “If we’re not consistent, we cannot dream about the title. We’re losing games, and those teams above us are gaining on us.”
Simeone supported him, realizing that a draw was a fair one.
Following a slow start, Azpilicueta conjured up a piece of magic, smashing a volley into the top corner off a clearance of a cross by Antoine Griezmann. But Espanyol drew level when Clement Lenglet conceded a clear penalty by pulling on Leandro Cabrera’s shirt inside the box.
Puado did not make it miss, firming his spot-kick beyond Oblak to deserve a point for the hosts.
As Madrid and Barcelona have moved away at the top, Atletico’s fading title ambitions can now be focused on attaining Champions League football rather than mounting a late title charge.
