Kylian Mbappe broke his four-match scoring drought for Real Madrid, registering his first league goal in weeks as the defending champions secured a comfortable 3-0 triumph over Leganes on Sunday. The win reduced their deficit to La Liga leaders Barcelona to four points, with a game in hand.
Carlo Ancelotti made several changes to his lineup, with young center-back Raul Asencio and Turkish midfielder Arda Güler starting, while Dani Ceballos was handed a rare chance in the starting XI. Despite missing key players such as Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, the Italian coach was boosted by the return of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Mbappe, playing in his preferred left-wing role, following a tactical adjustment by Ancelotti after Vinicius Jr. had previously been deployed there, looked lively throughout. While an early goal was disallowed for offside, the 2018 World Cup winner forward struck just before halftime. Vinicius seized on a defensive error from Leganes, delivering a cross to Mbappe at the far post for an easy finish, marking his second goal in his last eight appearances.
Real Madrid asserted their dominance in the second half. Fede Valverde, captaining the team for the first time and filling in at right-back, extended their lead with a powerful free-kick in the 66th minute. Mbappe, hungry for more, tested Leganes goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic with a sharp strike, but it was Jude Bellingham who put the game beyond reach. The England international headed in from close range after Brahim Diaz’s shot rebounded off the crossbar, securing his second goal of the season.
Mbappe squandered a golden chance to claim his second goal of the evening in the 83rd minute, as his hurried shot was comfortably saved by the goalkeeper. Leganes, still without a win against Real Madrid, failed to test Thibaut Courtois in goal upon his return and couldn’t muster a single shot on target.
⚪️🫂 Kylian Mbappé: “l have a very good relationship with Vini”.
“The best players are at Real Madrid and we are ready to win”.
“I am surprised because I did not know the quality of the Castilla players”. pic.twitter.com/rFo0i3Y7Tz
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) November 24, 2024
“I have a good relationship with Vini, with him, and with all the Madrid players, we are ready to play many games together and win many titles. I started well, with rhythm with my teammates, in a different position.” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV after the game.
Ancelotti’s side will next up travel to Anfield to play high-flying Liverpool in the group fixture of the UEFA Champions League. Their next league fixture will come against Getafe on Sunday at the Santiago Bernabeu.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
