Kylian Mbappe delivered a decisive performance as Real Madrid overturned a deficit to secure a 3-2 victory against Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
The win propelled Carlo Ancelotti’s men level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona, who are set to face Girona in a highly anticipated Catalan derby on Sunday.
Madrid appeared in control early on when Mbappe coolly converted a Panenka penalty, but their advantage was short-lived. Leganes responded immediately, capitalizing on defensive lapses to take the lead before halftime.
Diego Garcia struck first, taking advantage of a defensive miscue from Fran Garcia to level the score, before Dani Raba put the visitors ahead after a well-worked move down the left.
Determined to restore parity, Madrid came out firing in the second half. Jude Bellingham netted an equalizer, reacting quickest after Brahim Diaz’s effort was deflected onto the crossbar and looped back into play.
The momentum remained with the hosts as they pressed for a winner. Diaz rattled the post, while Ancelotti turned to Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo to add further firepower.
Eventually, it was Mbappe who provided the breakthrough, whipping home a free-kick in the 76th minute to seal all three points.
With his 22nd league goal of the campaign, Mbappe edged closer to La Liga’s top scorer Robert Lewandowski, sitting just one goal behind the Barcelona forward.
Across all competitions, the French superstar now boasts an impressive tally of 33 goals in 44 appearances.
Leganes fought bravely until the final whistle, with former Barcelona striker Munir El Haddadi nearly snatching a late equalizer, but his header drifted wide as Madrid held on for the win.
