March 30, 2025
MADRID — In a gripping encounter at Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, Real Madrid secured a 3-2 victory over Leganés, overcoming a first-half deficit to keep pace with La Liga leaders Barcelona. Kylian Mbappé’s brace and Jude Bellingham’s timely goal were pivotal in the comeback.
Match Highlights:
- Early Lead and Quick Response: Real Madrid opened the scoring in the 32nd minute when Kylian Mbappé converted a penalty awarded after Óscar Rodríguez fouled Arda Güler. Leganés responded immediately, with Diego García tapping in at the far post in the 33rd minute. Dani Raba then gave Leganés a 2-1 lead in the 41st minute, slotting past goalkeeper Andriy Lunin after a setup by Rodríguez.
- Second-Half Turnaround: Jude Bellingham equalized for Real Madrid just two minutes into the second half, capitalizing on a rebound off the crossbar. Mbappé secured the win with a brilliantly curled free kick in the 76th minute, marking his second goal of the match.
Player Performances:
- Kylian Mbappé: Mbappé’s two goals were instrumental in Real Madrid’s victory. His season tally now stands at 33 goals, matching Cristiano Ronaldo’s debut season record at the club.
- Jude Bellingham: Bellingham’s equalizing goal was his 27th in 51 La Liga matches, surpassing the combined total of English predecessors David Beckham and Michael Owen, who scored 26 goals over 152 appearances.
Coaches’ Reactions:
- Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid Manager: Ancelotti praised his team’s resilience, stating, “We know what we always have to do: win. We started well… Then we didn’t play well for 20 minutes and conceded two goals. But we know that if we play well we’ll score.”
Statistical Overview:
- Possession: Real Madrid dominated with 70.7%, while Leganés held 29.3%.
- Shots on Goal: Real Madrid registered 10 shots on target compared to Leganés’ 4.
- Total Shot Attempts: Real Madrid made 24 attempts; Leganés had 10.
- Corner Kicks: Real Madrid earned 8 corners; Leganés had 3.
League Standings Impact:
This victory brings Real Madrid level with Barcelona at 63 points after 29 matches. Barcelona, however, has a game in hand, hosting Girona on Sunday. Third-placed Atlético Madrid trails by six points following a 1-1 draw with Espanyol.
Upcoming Fixtures:
Real Madrid faces crucial matches ahead, including a Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad and a Champions League quarter-final clash with Arsenal.
