Mbapp scores 2 as Real Madrid avoids Leganes scare and Atletico stumbles again

Kylin Mbapp scored twice to help Real Madrid outgun a feisty Leganes 3-2 and pull level with Barcelona at the top of La Liga on Saturday, while Atletico Madrid fell further behind in the title race.

The match between the defending champion and a team trying to stave off relegation was billed as an easy three points for Madrid. It was anything but as Leganes showed much more bite than expected at the Santiago Bernabeu.

After Mbapp put Madrid ahead from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute, Leganes stunned the home crowd by hitting right back after the restart. Left back Valentin Rosier sprinted clear on the right flank and crossed for scar Rodrguez, whose poorly hit shot was pushed home by Diego Garca.

The minnow from southern Madrid did it again in the 41st. This time, Rosier stole the ball from Brahim Daz and raced down the center of the pitch before he played Rodrguez clear, who squared the ball for Dani Raba to take the lead.

Even though Leganes continued to threaten a third goal, Madrid capitalized on its chances in the second half to turn it around.

Jude Bellingham equalized when he rushed in to finish off a rebound. Mbapp made it a brace from a free kick, slicing the ball around the barrier and just inside the post after a rigorous foul call that was protested by Leganes.

Mbapp has 22 goals in La Liga, only one fewer than Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.

Barcelona can reestablish its three-point lead when it hosts Girona on Sunday.