Real Madrid recorded a 3-0 win over Leganes on Sunday night to edge closer to league leaders Barcelona at the top of the table.
A dominant performance from Los Blancos saw summer signing Kylian Mbappe split the sides before the break, while two second-half goals from Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham completed a comfortable victory in the Spanish capital.
Carlo Ancelotti may have finally found the key to unlocking his new star striker, playing Mbappe on the left alongside Vinicius Junior in the middle. Here, the Frenchman was given the creative licence to prove what he can do on the ball, slotting in a stunning goal after linking up with the Ballon d'Or runner-up in the box.
A thunderous free-kick from Valverde punctured Leganes for the second time shortly after the hour mark.
Bellingham was attributed to the final goal of the evening, reacting well to a deflected effort from Brahim Diaz, to nod in his second of the season.
Mbappe, who has received criticism for his initial performances at Los Blancos, will have been pleased to net his ninth goal of the campaign. The former Paris Saint-Germain star arrived in Spain with huge expectations in the summer and has so far struggled to live up to his lofty reputation.
Madrid's victory on Sunday saw them leapfrog rivals Atletico Madrid and creep up on Clasico enemies Barcelona in the La Liga standings.
Ancelotti's side now sit just four points behind the Catalan giants after they recorded a disappointing draw with Celta Vigo on Saturday. The absence of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal has sent the once-impenetrable side on a downwards trajectory. They are yet to win a league game without the 17-year-old this season.
Madrid return to action on Wednesday when they face Premier League leaders Liverpool in the Champions League before hosting Getafe on Sunday.
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