Kylian Mbappe delivered a stellar performance to lift Real Madrid from a 2-1 deficit to a 3-2 victory over Leganés on Saturday, bringing the champions level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona. The thrilling clash at Santiago Bernabéu showcased Mbappe's pivotal role in keeping Madrid's title hopes alive as the season approaches its climax.
Madrid took an early lead through Mbappe's penalty, but Leganés fought back fiercely with goals from Diego García and Dani Raba before halftime. Jude Bellingham's equalizer early in the second half reignited Madrid's momentum, setting the stage for Mbappe's decisive free-kick strike that sealed the comeback.
"(Mbappe) is making the difference, and that's what we want from him," said Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, praising the forward's impact. With 33 goals across all competitions this season, Mbappe matched Cristiano Ronaldo's tally from his debut 2009-10 campaign at the club. The French star acknowledged the milestone, stating, "To have the same number of goals as Cristiano is always good… but we have to win trophies here."
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid's title aspirations dimmed further after a 1-1 draw with Espanyol. Javi Puado's penalty canceled out Cesar Azpilicueta's stunning opener, leaving Diego Simeone's side six points adrift of the top two.
The result intensifies the focus on Barcelona's Sunday clash with Girona, which could reshape the title race. With Madrid and Barça now locked at the summit, La Liga's final weeks promise high-stakes drama for fans, investors, and sports analysts tracking Asia's deep interest in European football.
