Real Madrid closed the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to four points with a dominant win over Leganes.

Jude Bellingham scored his second league goal in as many games in a comfortable victory ahead of their Champions League match with Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring with his seventh league goal of the season on the stroke of half-time after Vinicius Junior rifled a low ball across the box.

Federico Valverde doubled the lead in the second half with a powerful strike from a free-kick, beating goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic at his near post.

Bellingham netted in the 85th minute after he reacted first to nod in Brahim Diaz's deflected effort off the crossbar.

Frenchman Mbappe thought he had opened the scoring earlier with a powerful finish from Vinicius Junior's pass, but the offside flag was quickly raised.

Teenager Arda Guler was handed a rare start and he forced Dmitrovic into a fine save from a tight angle midway through the first half.

Mbappe missed a huge opportunity to net his second of the night in the 83rd minute as his rushed strike could only sting the palms of the keeper.

Leganes, who are yet to register a victory over Real, were unable to threaten the returning Thibaut Courtois' goal and did not manage a shot on target.

Youngster Raul Asencio started in the heart of the defence after Eder Militao injured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) with Valverde playing 90 minutes at right-back as manager Carlo Ancelotti looked to combat Real's injury woes.

Ancelotti's side jumped above rivals Atletico Madrid into second and sit four points behind Barcelona having played a game less.

Source: BBC

BDST: 1401 HRS, NOV 25, 2024
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