Mbappe Ends Goal Drought as Real Madrid Secure 3-0 La Liga Victory Over Leganes
Kylian Mbappe returned to the scoresheet for the first time in five matches as Real Madrid clinched a commanding 3-0 win against Leganes in La Liga on Sunday. Goals from Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham sealed the victory, which saw Madrid climb to second in the table, four points behind leaders Barcelona with a game in hand.
The win came after Barcelona’s draw with Celta Vigo on Saturday, allowing Los Blancos to close the gap with a comfortable performance against 14th-placed Leganes. Madrid will now turn their focus to a pivotal Champions League clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday, following a rocky European campaign thus far.
Tactical Shifts Pay Off
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti praised his team’s consistency after back-to-back strong performances, including a 4-0 win over Osasuna earlier in the week.
“The team maintained the good momentum from our last match and showed maturity today,” said Ancelotti.
The Italian tactician introduced several changes, including the rare starts for Dani Ceballos and Turkish prodigy Arda Güler. Additionally, young center-back Raul Asencio impressed on his first start, earning praise from Ancelotti for his composed display.
Despite injuries to key players like Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois returned to action, adding stability to the team.
Ancelotti also opted to reposition Mbappe on the left wing while shifting Vinicius Junior inside—a move that immediately yielded results.
“Mbappe played brilliantly on the wing, and Vinicius adapted well inside,” Ancelotti noted.
Mbappe’s first-half goal, set up by a smart assist from Vinicius, broke the deadlock after the Frenchman had an earlier effort ruled out for offside.
Valverde and Bellingham Seal the Deal
Valverde, wearing the captain’s armband for the first time, doubled Madrid’s lead in the 66th minute with a powerful strike from a free-kick. Playing as a makeshift right-back, the Uruguayan’s versatility once again shone through.
Although Dmitrovic denied Mbappe a second goal with a stunning save, it was Jude Bellingham who completed the scoring late on. The Englishman reacted quickly to head home after Brahim Diaz’s deflected shot hit the crossbar, notching his second goal of the season.
Defensive Solidity and Leganes’ Struggles
Leganes defender Sergio Gonzalez lamented his team’s defensive errors, which Madrid ruthlessly punished.
“We gave it our all, but small mistakes cost us against a team like this,” said Gonzalez.
Ancelotti also highlighted the maturity of 21-year-old Asencio, who stood firm in defense and showcased the quality of Madrid’s academy system.
“His composure and positioning were excellent, a testament to the youth academy’s work,” the coach remarked.
With this victory, Real Madrid head into their Champions League showdown with renewed confidence and momentum.
