Kylian Mbappe scored twice to help Real Madrid beat Las Palmas 4-1 on Sunday. Defending champions lead LaLiga.
On Saturday, Atletico Madrid lost 1-0 against Leganes, putting Real two points ahead of their local rivals in second with 46 points. Barcelona finished third, seven points behind following a 1-1 tie with Getafe.
After Las Palmas’ Fabio Silva scored 25 seconds after begin from a Sandro cross, Real put on the pressure and Mbappe equalized in the 18th minute after Rodrygo was fouled inside the box.
Mbappe had one of his greatest games since joining Real from Paris St. Germain last year while Vinicius Jr. was suspended for two league games after his red card against Valencia.
Mbappe was everywhere and combined effectively with Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo, making Las Palmas goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to work hard to keep Real at bay.
Kylian Mbappe went past three players and blasted a bullet shot from the edge of the box that Cillessen stopped excellently, but Lucas Vazquez recovered the rebound and set up Brahim Diaz for Real’s second goal in the 33rd minute
Rodrygo scored the fourth on a quick counterattack in the 57th minute, and Mbappe doubled their lead three minutes later with a first-time shot into the top corner from a cross.
Las Palmas was reduced to 10 men in the 64th minute after substitute Benito Ramirez was sent off for a studs-up tackle on Lucas Vazquez.
Real Madrid had three opportunities by Mbappe, Bellingham, and Federico Valverde ruled out by the VAR for offsides despite slowing down.
“It was an important win for us because we took advantage of what happened to Atletico and Barcelona on Saturday, we wanted to win and we won,” Mbappe said.
Conceding early is hard, but the team responded well. Since we play well and lead, I think all the spectators enjoyed the game. We attacked for space and scored many goals.
“It’s a dream to play for Real and to listen to the fans chant my name, I’m very happy because I’ve adapted to the team and I’m playing the way I want to play and enjoying it again.”