Real Madrid Close Gap on Barcelona with 4-0 Win Over Leganes

Real Madrid reduced the gap to La Liga leaders Barcelona to four points with a commanding 4-0 win over Leganes. Jude Bellingham continued his strong form scoring his second consecutive league goal in the 85th minute after Brahim Diaz’s deflected shot hit the crossbar. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring in the first half, netting his seventh league goal of the season after Vinicius Junior’s low cross.

Federico Valverde doubled the lead in the second half with a powerful free-kick that beat Leganes’ goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic at the near post. Earlier, Mbappe thought he had scored again, but the referee ruled him offside after he finished off another Vinicius pass. Additionally, teenager Arda Guler earned a rare start and tested Dmitrovic with a tight-angled shot.

Leganes, who have never beaten Real Madrid failed to threaten Thibaut Courtois, not registering a shot on target throughout the match. In defense, Raul Asencio replaced the injured Eder Militao, who is out for the season with an ACL injury while Valverde played 90 minutes at right-back. As a result, Real’s victory lifted them above Atletico Madrid into second place in La Liga with a game in hand on Barcelona.

Furthermore, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez hailed the club’s “new golden age,” citing their recent successes including six Champions League titles and four La Liga titles in the past decade. Despite these triumphs, Perez criticized the new Champions League format, arguing that it devalues the competition by increasing the number of matches without maintaining fan excitement. He also reiterated his commitment to a European Super League, believing it could revitalize football and prioritize the well-being of players and fans alike.