Mbappe on target as Real Madrid cruise to Leganes win
Kylian Mbappe scored his first goal for Real Madrid in five games as the champions defeated Leganes 3-0 in La Liga on Sunday.Fede Valverde and Jude Bellingham also scored to help Madrid climb into second place, four points behind champions Barcelona with a game in hand.
Los Blancos took advantage of Barcelona's draw against Celta Vigo on Saturday, winning easily over 14th-placed Leganes.
Madrid faces Liverpool at Anfield in the Champions League on Wednesday, a key game for the Spanish side following two defeats in their opening four European matches, and they warmed up with a strong effort.
"The team managed the good feelings that we had in the (previous 4-0 win) against Osasuna well, and we confirmed them today," stated Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.
The Italian started with teenage centre-back Raul Asencio, Dani Ceballos, who received a rare start, and Turkish playmaker Arda Guler.
Ancelotti was without long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao, among others, but was able to reintroduce goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois for the trip to Butarque, in Madrid's suburbs.
Mbappe started on his preferred left wing position, a departure from Ancelotti's previous approach of playing Vinicius Junior there.
It paid off as the forward scored his second goal in the last eight games, after having a previous strike called out for offside.
"We changed the position of the forwards, with Mbappe outside and he did well, like Vinicius inside," Ancelotti added.
Mbappe was left out of France's squad for the second time in as many months during the previous international break, and he has been dealing with off-field issues, which may have hampered his transition to Madrid after leaving Paris Saint-Germain.
Guler had Madrid's first serious opportunity, but Marko Dmitrovic saved his shot after the midfielder cut in from the right.
Mbappe broke the deadlock just before halftime, as Vinicius teed him up at the back post, and he snuck in to take advantage of some Leganes defensive disarray.
Valverde, captaining Madrid for the first time and playing out of position at right-back, scored the team's second goal from a free-kick in the 66th minute, securing the victory.
Dmitrovic saved a thunderous Mbappe effort as the French attacker attempted to score a second and secure Madrid's victory.
In the end, England's Bellingham scored his second goal of the season, heading in a rebound from close range after Brahim Diaz's deflected drive hit the crossbar.
"We were very comfortable in the first half, playing the game we wanted to, but (to concede) after a mistake… hurts more, it got away from us because of our errors," said Leganes defender Sergio Gonzalez.
"The team gave everything, and with the smallest opportunities, they punished us."
Ancelotti was pleased with 21-year-old centre-back Asencio's performance in his debut start for the club.
"It shocked me in that he's a player with maturity, always well positioned, very well positioned, and it implies the young academy has done a wonderful job with him," the head coach added."
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