Mbappe shines as Real Madrid beat Las Palmas to extend Liga lead

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ADDING Ancelotti quotes

Kylian Mbappe struck twice and produced a brilliant performance to give Real Madrid a 4-1 win over Las Palmas and take the reigning champions top of La Liga on Sunday.

Los Blancos enjoyed a perfect weekend, overtaking Atletico Madrid by two points after their neighbors slipped up with a shock defeat at Leganes on Saturday, while third-placed Barcelona could only manage a draw against Getafe.

Mbappe has hit top form in recent weeks after an inconsistent start to life at Real Madrid following his dream move from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

The 26-year-old made it 12 league goals with his brace and became the Spanish league’s second top scorer behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, with Brahim Diaz and Rodrygo Goes also on target.

“It was a very important game because we knew what had happened yesterday, with Atletico and Barca, we wanted to win and we did,” Mbappe told Real Madrid TV.

“We started badly and conceded a goal (so early)… but the reaction was top notch.

“We got the ball out, quickly, attacked the spaces and with quality we scored many goals… we are happy because we are leaders.”

Mbappe has 18 goals for the season in 30 appearances across all competitions and is looking increasingly crucial for his side in attack.

With Vinicius Junior suspended, the focus was on the French striker at the Santiago Bernabeu and he delivered with a scintillating performance.

“I’m very happy, I’ve adapted to the team and I can play the way I want, with my teammates, with personality,” continued Mbappe.

“I think we all enjoy it.”

Madrid were thrashed by Barcelona last week in the Spanish Super Cup final, leading to some whistles for the team when they played at home in midweek in the Copa del Rey.

Mbappe took to social media Instagram to encourage fans to stick together and support the team.

“I think we have to be united and that’s how we can go after all the trophies,” he explained.

Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was asked about his positioning of Mbappe earlier this season, using the forward through the middle rather than on the left where Vinicius plays, and Mbappe often did at PSG.

“He is the best central striker in the world,” Ancelotti said.

“He’s a great striker, he’s very comfortable in the middle more than on the wing, his ability to get away from players is unique and inside he can take better advantage of that.”

Las Palmas took a surprise lead in just over 30 seconds when a quick move opened up Madrid’s defence.

Sandro Ramirez crossed for Fabio Silva to add the finishing touches from close range.

Madrid hit back strongly, with Diaz firing wide when he should have scored and Mbappe’s ferocious effort tipped over by Jasper Cillessen.

Mbappe, who suffered heavy criticism after missing two penalties towards the end of 2024, equalized from the spot after Sandro clumsily felled Rodrygo.

The forward was involved in Madrid’s second goal, the rebound from his saved shot falling to Lucas Vazquez, who set up Diaz to convert.

Mbappe scored his second with a fine finish that curled into the top corner after Rodrygo cut the ball back.

Mbappe thought he had completed his hat-trick before the break but the goal was ruled offside in the build-up.

Rodrygo stroked home the fourth from Fran Garcia’s low cross after Mbappe played at left-back at the start of the second half.

Jude Bellingham and Fede Valverde had strikes ruled out for offside as Madrid continued to dominate and could welcome back David Alaba as a substitute after more than a year out with a serious knee injury.

“(Alaba) is a player who can help us a lot, you don’t know how much it means for us to have him back on the pitch with us,” Madrid’s Dani Ceballos told DAZN.

Midfielder Ceballos had one of his best games for Madrid and received an ovation from the Santiago Bernabeu.

“I’ve been working, waiting for my moment and now I have to keep working,” he added.

Fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao won 2-1 at Celta Vigo earlier on Sunday to stay level with third-placed Barcelona.