Real Madrid secured a 3-0 victory over Leganés in La Liga, but the match wasn’t as dominant as the scoreline suggests.
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Kylian Mbappé, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham found the net, yet it was Arda Güler who truly stood out. The Turkish prodigy orchestrated Madrid’s midfield with creativity and energy, cementing his case for more starts under Carlo Ancelotti.
The first half saw Madrid struggling to establish control. Mbappé’s early goal was disallowed for offside, but the breakthrough came in the 43rd minute.
Jude Bellingham’s tenacity won the ball in midfield, allowing Vinícius Jr to assist Mbappé for a simple tap-in.
The second half started stronger, with Valverde doubling the lead through a powerful free-kick. Bellingham sealed the win late on with a header after Brahim Diaz’s effort struck the bar.
While Madrid’s individual brilliance proved enough against Leganés, their collective performance lacked sharpness. With a Champions League clash against Liverpool looming, Ancelotti will demand greater consistency.
Player Ratings
- Thibaut Courtois (6/10): A quiet evening with minimal action.
- Antonio Rüdiger (7/10): Controlled the backline effectively.
- Raúl Asencio (7/10): A composed display on his first start.
- Fran García (6/10): Energetic but left defensive gaps.
- Eduardo Camavinga (6/10): Reliable but unspectacular.
- Dani Ceballos (5/10): Largely anonymous despite tidy passing.
- Arda Güler (8/10): The creative spark, showcasing excellent vision and flair.
- Jude Bellingham (8/10): Instrumental in midfield, combining defensive work with attacking runs.
- Kylian Mbappé (5/10): Scored but lacked impact otherwise.
- Vinícius Jr (7/10): Recovered from a slow start to assist the opener and cause problems.
Subs: Brahim Diaz (6/10), Luka Modric (N/A), Endrick (N/A).
Manager: Carlo Ancelotti (6/10): Rotation paid off but Madrid’s overall display left room for improvement.
Real Madrid’s focus now shifts to their midweek European showdown against Liverpool.
