Real Madrid secured an impressive 3-0 victory against Leganes at the Estadio Municipal de Butarque on Sunday night, moving them up to second place in La Liga. Goals from Kylian Mbappé, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham ensured Carlo Ancelotti’s side leapfrogged Atletico Madrid and kept the pressure on league leaders Barcelona.
The win puts Real Madrid on 30 points, four behind Barcelona, who were held to a 2-2 draw against Celta Vigo on Saturday. With a game in hand, Los Blancos could close the gap to just one point if they secure a win in their additional fixture.
Ancelotti once again fielded an attacking trio of Jude Bellingham, VinÃcius Jr., and Mbappé, and it was the Frenchman who broke the deadlock. Despite a frustrating first half for Real Madrid, VinÃcius Jr. provided a moment of brilliance, setting up Mbappé with a pinpoint pass that allowed him to slot home at the far post. The goal came as a relief for the visitors, who had struggled to convert their early dominance into a tangible lead.
The second half saw Real Madrid assert their control over the match. Federico Valverde doubled the advantage with a thunderous strike from a well-rehearsed free-kick routine, leaving the Leganes goalkeeper with no chance. Valverde’s goal showcased his versatility and underlined why he remains one of the most reliable performers in Ancelotti’s lineup.
As the game entered its final stages, Jude Bellingham capped off the win with a simple header into an empty net, following a defensive mix-up by Leganes. The goal not only secured the three points but also continued Bellingham’s incredible form in his debut season at Madrid.
The victory is a significant boost for Real Madrid as they aim to keep pace with Barcelona in the title race. With their game in hand still to come, Ancelotti’s men remain firmly in contention for the top spot. Meanwhile, Leganes struggled to match the quality and intensity of the visitors and remain further down the table.
Real Madrid’s next challenge will be to build on this momentum as they prepare for a packed schedule, knowing that any slip-up could prove costly in the race for La Liga supremacy.
