2 hours ago
Real Madrid delivered an impressive 3-0 victory over Leganes, tightening the race for the La Liga title as they moved closer to league leaders, Barcelona. The match was highlighted by crucial performances from Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham, who ensured that Real Madrid capitalized on their dominance. Mbappe opened the scoring just before the break, finishing off a precise, low cross from Vinicius Junior with a clinical touch. This goal marked Mbappe’s seventh in the league this season, underlining his continued form and offensive threat. The French forward had another potential goal ruled out for offside earlier in the game, but his presence kept Leganes’ defense on constant alert. Additionally, Real Madrid introduced teenage star Arda Guler to the starting lineup, and he made an early impact by testing Leganes goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic with a challenging shot midway through the first half.
The second half saw Real Madrid's pressure pay off as Federico Valverde struck from a free-kick, doubling the lead with a powerful effort that found its way past Dmitrovic’s near post. Valverde, playing the full match as a makeshift right-back due to ongoing injuries in Real’s defense, displayed his versatility and power from set pieces. Despite battling a series of injuries within their squad, Real Madrid's adjustments, including the introduction of youngster Raul Asencio in central defense to replace the injured Eder Militao, were effective. Leganes, on the other hand, struggled to generate any significant threats, failing to muster a single shot on target against a resolute Real defense, anchored by the returning goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
Jude Bellingham capped off the victory with a late goal in the 85th minute, reacting quickly to nod in a rebound after Brahim Diaz’s shot ricocheted off the crossbar. This goal marked Bellingham's second consecutive league score, showcasing his knack for finding the back of the net during key moments. Despite a missed opportunity for Mbappe to score a second goal late in the game, Real Madrid's solid performance was enough to see them leapfrog rivals Atletico Madrid into second place. They are now just four points behind Barcelona, having played one game less, giving them a chance to further close the gap in the title race. The convincing win serves as a confidence booster for Real Madrid as they prepare for a crucial Champions League match against Liverpool, positioning them as strong contenders in both domestic and European competitionions.
Total Comments: 0