Real Madrid boosted their LaLiga title hopes with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Leganés at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday night.
Having suffered just one defeat in their last 11 matches across all competitions, the hosts looked to continue their impeccable form and enjoyed a bright start, with Kylian Mbappé opening the scoring in the 31st minute from the penalty spot. However, their lead was short-lived, as Diego García struck just two minutes later to bring the game level.
Nine minutes later, Dani Raba fired Leganés into the lead with a goal just before half time.
However, Real Madrid responded immediately after the break, with Jude Bellingham making it 2-2 just 90 seconds into the second half.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side pushed to regain their lead and did so in the 75th minute, with Mbappé curling a brilliant free kick past Dmitrović. The home side held on for the win, moving level on points with Barcelona, who have a game in hand, while Leganés remained in the bottom three.
The home side controlled the opening five minutes, pressing Borja Jiménez’s team relentlessly in search of an early breakthrough. However, the first real opportunity came in the 10th minute for the away side, but Yvan Neyou’s long-range effort failed to trouble Andriy Lunin.
Five minutes later, _los Blancos_ created a brilliant chance through Brahim Díaz. Arda Güler pounced on a loose ball 30 yards from goal and threaded a superb pass to Díaz, who attempted to pick out Kylian Mbappé at the back post. However, a crucial interception from Sergio González denied the home side.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side continued to press for the opener, with Luka Modrić and Brahim Díaz both testing Marko Dmitrović, who pulled off two excellent saves to keep the game level. Moments later, Mbappé created another dangerous opportunity, beating his marker inside the box and firing on goal, but Dmitrović was equal to it once again.
As the game neared the 30-minute mark, Güler was brought down in the box by Óscar Rodríguez, prompting the referee to point to the spot. Despite protests from the Leganés players, the decision stood. Mbappé stepped up and confidently smashed his penalty past Dmitrović, giving the home side a well-deserved lead.
PHOTO: Real Madrid CF
However, just two minutes later, Borja Jiménez’s side produced an immediate response to draw level. García peeled away from his marker at the back post, pouncing on a loose ball and slotting it into an empty net to even the score and get his third goal of the season.
_Los Pepineros_ then took a historic lead just before halftime – the first time the club had ever led Real Madrid. Valentin Rosier drove through the heart of Madrid’s midfield before teeing up Rodríguez, who skipped past Lucas Vázquez and picked out Raba. The forward coolly slotted his effort past Lunin, putting the away side in front.
Madrid pushed for an equaliser before halftime, but Dmitrović produced several crucial saves to preserve Leganés’ 2-1 lead heading into the break.
Just 90 seconds into the second half, Real Madrid found the equaliser. Fran García played a clever pass into Bellingham, who unleashed a powerful low shot, forcing a strong save from Dmitrović. Brahim Díaz reacted quickly with a follow-up effort, but Renato Tapia cleared it off the line. The ball struck the crossbar and bounced back into play, where Bellingham slid in and hammered the loose ball into the net from close range.
Real Madrid pushed forward in search of the lead, creating several chances, with Díaz coming closest as he struck the post with a powerful effort from distance. As the game grew tense, the away side held firm, but in the 75th minute, Madrid won a free kick on the edge of the box. Mbappé stepped up and curled his effort past the wall and Dmitrović, restoring the home side’s advantage. The goal brought Mbappé to 33 goals for the season, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally in his debut season for _los Blancos_.
The away side searched for a way back into the game, but Madrid’s resolute defence thwarted the relegation-battling team as the home side picked up all three points.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side now shift their focus to their Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad, where they hold a narrow 1-0 advantage. Meanwhile, Leganés continue their battle for LaLiga survival with a crucial home fixture against CA Osasuna in a massive relegation showdown.
**RMA:** Lunin; Garcia, Rudiger, Asencio, Vazquez; Bellingham, Modric, Camavinga, Güler; Mbappe, Diaz
**LEG:** Dmitrovic; Hernandez, Nastasic, Gonzalez, Rosier; Tapia, Neyou; Rodríguez, Raba, Cruz; Garcia