Kylian Mbappe Fires Real Madrid Level With Barcelona As Atletico Bid Crumbles

Kylian Mbappe struck twice as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Leganes 3-2 on Saturday, pulling level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona. Carlo Ancelotti's side won an entertaining game at the Santiago Bernabeu to put pressure on their bitter rivals, who host Girona in a Catalan derby on Sunday. Mbappe put Los Blancos ahead from the penalty spot but goals from Diego Garcia and Dani Raba sent the relegation-battling minnows ahead before the break. Jude Bellingham levelled for Madrid early in the second half before Mbappe whipped home a free-kick to claim three points for the champions.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are six clear of third-placed Atletico Madrid, who drew at Espanyol earlier Saturday.

"(Mbappe) is making the difference and that's what we want from him," said Madrid coach Ancelotti.

The superstar's brace took him to 33 goals for the season across all competitions in 44 games, equalling the tally Real Madrid's all-time top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo notched in the 2009-10 season, his first year at the club.

"It's very special... to have the same number of goals as Cristiano is always good," Mbappe told Real Madrid TV.

"We know what he means for Real Madrid and me, we speak, he gives me a lot of advice, he scored many goals -- but we have to win trophies here."

Ancelotti named Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes on the bench after they were in action for Brazil on Tuesday, starting Mbappe with Brahim Diaz in attack.

Madrid took the lead after they were awarded a dubious penalty, when Oscar Rodriguez tangled legs with midfielder Arda Guler.

Mbappe executed a perfect Panenka to send Los Blancos ahead, although their lead only lasted a few seconds with Diego Garcia netting from close range.

Diaz came close