Kylian Mbappe was in superb form, scoring twice to lead Real Madrid to a 4-1 victory over visitors Las Palmas on Sunday, which took the champions to the top of the La Liga table.
Real overtook Atletico Madrid, who lost 1-0 at a lowly Leganes on Saturday, to top the table with 46 points, two clear of second-placed local rivals, while third-placed Barcelona are seven points adrift after holding on to 1 : 1 draw Getafe.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side were shocked when Las Palmas took the lead 25 seconds into the match when Fabio Silva headed home Sandro from close range, but Real began to apply the pressure and Mbappe equalized from the penalty spot in the 18th minute after a foul by Rodrygo in the middle box box.
Having bypassed Vinicius Jr. in the first of two league games due to suspension following a red card against Valencia, Mbappe took responsibility for providing Real’s attacking impetus, playing one of his best games by any measure since arriving in the Spanish capital from Paris St Germain last year year year.
Mbappe was everywhere on the pitch and had good contact with Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo, which forced Las Palmas goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen to work hard to keep Real at bay.
Mbappe passed three defenders and fired a shot from the edge of the box, which Cillessen saved brilliantly, but Lucas Vazquez lowered the rebound and put the ball on a plate for Brahim Diaz to slot into the empty net for Real’s second goal of the match in the 33rd minute.
Mbappe increased the advantage three minutes later with a beautiful shot into the top corner after a cross from Rodrygo, who scored the fourth goal in the 57th minute after a quick counter-attack.
Las Palmas was reduced to 10 men when substitute Benito Ramirez was shown a red card for a stud tackle on Lucas Vazquez in the 64th minute.
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Even though Real took their foot off the gas pedal, three saves by Mbappe, Bellingham and Federico Valverde were ruled out by VAR for offsides in the build-up.
“It was an important victory for us because we took advantage of what happened to Atletico and Barcelona on Saturday, we wanted to win and we won,” said Mbappe DAZN.
“Conceding a goal early in the match is difficult, but the team’s reaction was great. We played in attack, we looked for space, we scored a lot of goals, I think all the fans liked the match because we played well and now we are the leaders.
Playing for Real Madrid and hearing the fans chanting my name is a dream. I’m very happy because I’ve adapted to the team, I’m playing the way I want and I’m enjoying it again.
