In a commanding display at the Santiago Bernabeu, Kylian Mbappe broke his goal drought with a clinical finish, while Jude Bellingham's header sealed a comfortable 3-0 victory for Real Madrid over Leganes on Sunday. With this result, Real Madrid solidify their position in second place in La Liga, trailing leaders Barcelona by four points, with a game in hand.
The breakthrough came early in the match when Mbappe latched onto a precise through ball from Vinicius Jr and found the back of the net after just 10 minutes. Although initially ruled offside, the goal stood upon review, marking Mbappe's first goal in four games across all competitions. The French forward, who has faced scrutiny for his start with the La Liga champions, showcased his chemistry with Vinicius to give Real the lead just before halftime.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti's tactical adjustments, positioning Mbappe on the outside and Vinicius on the inside, paid dividends as the duo orchestrated Real's attacking moves effectively. The team's control of the match was evident, with Mbappe and co. dominating possession and limiting opportunities for Leganes.
Midfielder Federico Valverde doubled Real's lead with a stunning long-range strike from a free kick, following a foul on Bellingham in the 66th minute. Bellingham then added his name to the scoresheet with a well-timed header in the 85th minute, sealing a comprehensive victory for the home side.
With goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois returning from injury and the team firing on all cylinders, Real Madrid now prepare for a challenging away fixture against Premier League leaders Liverpool before a home clash against Getafe in La Liga.
On the other hand, Leganes, currently sitting 14th in the standings, will regroup to face Alaves in their next league encounter, aiming to bounce back from the defeat at the Bernabeu.