Mbappe Shines as Real Madrid Close Gap on Barcelona with Win Over Leganes

Ancelotti’s side secure a 3-0 victory to keep title race alive.

Real Madrid narrowed the gap to La Liga leaders Barcelona to just four points with a commanding 3-0 victory against Leganes on Sunday night. The win came after Barcelona stumbled to a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo on Saturday, giving Madrid a chance to close the gap.

Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring after a frustrating first half for the visitors. The French star latched onto a precise pass from Vinícius Jr., slotting the ball into the far post to give Madrid the lead. The pair, who are still refining their on-pitch chemistry, showed glimpses of a promising partnership.

In the second half, Federico Valverde doubled Real’s advantage with a thunderous strike from a well-rehearsed free-kick routine. Late in the game, Jude Bellingham capped off the victory, heading into an empty net to make it 3-0.

The result sees Real Madrid leapfrog Atletico Madrid into second place, with a game in hand that could reduce their deficit to Barcelona to just one point.

Player of the Match: Kylian Mbappé

Mbappé not only scored the opening goal but also showcased a more relaxed and confident performance.

Though still finding his rhythm in Spain, the Frenchman appears to be regaining his sharp edge.

Manager’s Tactical Success

Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to stick with Mbappé, Vinícius Jr., and Jude Bellingham in attack paid dividends. As the trio continue to gel, their interplay could be pivotal in Madrid’s push for the title.

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, Vinícius Jr. 7, Mbappé 7. Subs: Modric 6, Endrick 6, Brahim 7.

See also  Transfer gossip: Liverpool to get Barcelona cast-off as they pursue Reds target

With their title hopes reignited, Madrid now look to build on this momentum as they aim to overtake Barcelona in the race for La Liga supremacy.

Similar Posts:

Leave a Reply