Mbappe on target as Real Madrid cruises past Leganes

LEGANES, Spain — Kylian Mbappe scored his first goal in five games for Real Madrid, as the reigning champion beat Leganes 3-0 in La Liga on Sunday.

Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham also struck, as Madrid moved second, four points behind leader Barcelona with a game in hand.

Los Blancos capitalized after Barcelona slipped to a draw at Celta Vigo on Saturday with a straightforward win against 14th-placed Leganes.

Madrid faces Liverpool at Anfield on Wednesday in the Champions League in a crucial game for the Spanish side after two defeats in its first four European matches. It warmed up with a solid performance on Sunday.

"The team managed the good feelings that we had in the (previous 4-0 win) against Osasuna well, and we confirmed them today," said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti.

The Italian lined up with young center-back Raul Asencio and Turkish playmaker Arda Guler, as well as Dani Ceballos, who was afforded a rare start.

Ancelotti was missing long-term absentees Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao among others, but was able to bring goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois back in for the visit to Butarque, in the Madrid suburbs.

Mbappe started in his favored left wing position, a change of strategy from Ancelotti after using Vinicius Junior there until now.

It paid dividends, as the forward netted his second goal in his last eight games, although he had a strike ruled out for offside beforehand.

"We changed the position of the forwards, with Mbappe outside. He did well, like Vinicius inside," said Ancelotti.

"Mbappe played on the left side, where he did well, and Vinicius on the inside. We have to highlight their play to open the scoring. They did very, very well. Mbappe scored, after a fantastic assist from Vinicius. Little by little, they're both improving," Ancelotti told a news conference.

"Kylian is more used to playing there, and, today, for the team and for him, it was the best thing. Because playing on the outside brings more effort, and Vinicius was only back (from international duty) on Thursday. Meanwhile, Kylian had been training here for a week-and-a-half, he was fresher," the coach added.

Mbappe said he is fine playing wherever Ancelotti puts him.

"I said it on the first day that I can play in several different positions," Mbappe said. "All I want is to keep playing well and scoring goals."

Mbappe was left out of France's squad for the second time in as many months during the recent international break and has been struggling with off-field problems, possibly affecting his start to life at Madrid following his move from Paris Saint-Germain.

Guler had Madrid's first real chance, but Marko Dmitrovic parried his effort after the midfielder cut in from the right.

Mbappe broke the deadlock shortly before halftime, teed up at the back post by Vinicius, who nipped in to capitalize on some Leganes defensive confusion.

Sealing the victory

Valverde, captaining Madrid for the first time and playing out of position at right-back, drilled home his team's second in the 66th minute from a freekick.

Dmitrovic thwarted a powerful Mbappe strike, as the French forward looked to grab a second and seal Madrid's win.

In the end it was England star Bellingham, netting his second goal of the season, heading home a rebound from close range after Brahim Diaz's deflected shot 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," admitted Leganes defender Sergio Gonzalez.

"The team gave everything, and with the smallest opportunities, they punished us."

Ancelotti was happy with 21-year-old Asencio's performance on his first start for the club.

"It surprised me in that he's a player with maturity, always well positioned, very well positioned, and it means the youth academy has done a good job with him," said the coach.

Oihan Sancet scored a 26th-minute winner as Athletic Bilbao defeated Real Sociedad 1-0 in the Basque Country derby. It was Athletic's fourth straight home win against Sociedad.

The victory moved Athletic to fifth place and left Sociedad in 10th position.

Agencies