Leganes 0-3 Real Madrid: Mbappe and Bellingham score as Blancos close on Barcelona

Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham were both on target as Real Madrid moved to within four points of LaLiga leaders Barcelona with a 3-0 win at Leganes.

Federico Valverde also scored for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who still have a game in hand on leaders Barca, who were pegged back in a 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo on Saturday.

Mbappe ended a goal drought of over 400 minutes after being teed up by Vinicius Junior shortly before half-time, moments after Leganes had surrendered possession near the edge of their own area.

Madrid dominated possession throughout the second half and doubled their advantage in the 66th minute, Valverde drilling a low effort home from a free-kick won by Bellingham.

9 – Only Kylian Mbappe (10) has scored more goals from outside the box in the Top 5 European leagues in all competitiones than Federico Valverde (nine as six other players). Gunner.#RM #FedeValverde #LeganesRealMadrid pic.twitter.com/qhNik8XiCK

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) November 24, 2024

Bellingham later got in on the act with a header on the rebound after substitute Brahim Diaz rattled the crossbar, as Madrid cruised to back-to-back league wins.

Data Debrief: Dirty work pays off for Madrid

Mbappe’s opener, scored at a vital time shortly before the interval, set Madrid on their way to victory on Sunday.

Eduardo Camavinga and Bellingham both pressed high to help the visitors recover possession in the build-up, and Madrid have now scored five goals resulting from high turnovers in LaLiga this season – the most of any team across Europe’s top five leagues.

This was the first time Ancelotti had faced Leganes in LaLiga, and he has now beaten all 28 different opponents he has come up against in the competition.