On Saturday, Real Madrid defeated a fierce Leganes 3-2 and pulled even with Barcelona at the top of La Liga thanks to two goals from Kylin Mbappe. At the same time, Atletico Madrid lost ground further in the fight for the championship.
33 goals for Real Madrid
With 33 goals in all competitions since joining Madrid, Mbapp has now surpassed Cristiano Ronaldo’s total from his full debut season with the dominant team in 2009–10.
Zamorano has held the record for most goals scored in a Real Madrid debut season since 1992–93. When he was playing for Real Madrid, the Chilean forward had his greatest productive period of play and was an unstoppable force. Mbappe is now just 5 goals away from breaking this record.
With two months remaining in this campaign, Mbappe remarked, “It is very special to match Ronaldo’s mark. He has given me a lot of advice, and we are aware of what he stands for at Real Madrid. But, as I always say, we have to win titles.”
It was predicted that Madrid would easily win three points in the meeting between the reigning champion and a team attempting to avoid relegation. Leganes’s performance at the Santiago Bernabeu was anything but, as he displayed far more bite than anticipated.
Leganes shocked the home fans by scoring immediately after the restart after Mbappe gave Madrid the lead from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute. Valentin Rosier, the left back, ran clear on the right side and crossed for Scar Rodrguez, who was pushed home by Diego Garca after a weak shot.
In the 41st, the southern Madrid minnow repeated the feat. The ball was stolen from Brahim Daz this time, and Rosier ran down the middle of the pitch before playing Rodrguez clear, who then squared the ball for Dani Raba to grab the opener.
WATCH: Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo copying Kylian Mbappe’s celebration with him
Madrid took advantage of its opportunities in the second half to reverse the tide, despite Leganes’ persistent threat of a third goal.
Jude Bellingham raced in to finish off a rebound and tie the score. Following a strict foul call that Leganes challenged, Mbapp scored a brace from a free kick, cutting the ball through a gap in the defensive barrier and narrowly inside the post.
