Kylian Mbappe netted a brace as Real Madrid defeated Leganes 3-2 to keep their LALIGA title hopes alive on Saturday night.
LALIGA
Result: Real Madrid 3-2 Leganes
Date: 29 March 2025
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Los Blancos coach gave starts to goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, Arda Guler, Brahim Diaz and Fran Garcia, as the likes of Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Federico Valverde started on the bench.
Carlo Ancelotti's charges dominated in the opening period, with Diaz and Mbappe linking up to good effect in the final third but the Leganes were able to thwart every attack.
The hosts went close to taking the lead in the 22nd minute when Bellingham teed up Luka Modric in the box, but the Croatian's shot was brilliantly deflected away by Nastasic.
Los Blancos got their reward in the in 31st minute when Mbappe converted a penalty for his 21st league goal with a cheeky Panenka down the middle.
However, the lead did not last too long as Leganes were back on level terms a minutes when Diego Garcia finished off a wonderful counter-attack with his third league goal of the season.
Leganes completed the turnaround five minutes before the break as Daniel Antolin got on the end of Oscar Rodriguez and calmly slotted home at the near post after Los Blancos went to sleep at the back.
Ancelotti's men needed just two minutes to get back on level terms as Bellingham reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and volleyed home from Fran Garcia rattled the crossbar.
Vinicius and Rodrygo were eventually introduced after the hour mark, but it was Mbappe who put Los Blancos in front after 76 minutes with a lovely finish from distance to complete his brace.
Mbappe has now taken his tally to 33 goals in his debut season, equalling Cristiano Ronaldo's debut season record in the 2009/2010 campaign.
Los Blancos were able to see out the closing stages to claim the victory and move level on points with Barcelona, who will be in action on Sunday.
