Real Madrid bounced back from conceding a first-minute goal to down convincingly beat Las Palmas 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Fabio Silva's goal after 26 seconds was the last thing Carlo Ancelotti needed after a week in which Spanish media have suggested he's under pressure, but his side bounced back quickly to assert themselves in a game they had to win in order to capitalise on slip-ups from Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.
Kylian Mbappe drew Madrid level from the penalty spot after Rodrygo was felled and the Frenchman played a key role in helping the 15-time Champions League winners take the game away from Las Palmas.
The Frenchman burst forward towards the penalty area after an ill-advised lunge from Juanma Herzog saw Mbappe come away with the ball, and his whipped effort was well saved by Jasper Cillessen. But the rebound fell kindly to Lucas Vazquez and he turned the ball square for Brahim Diaz to tap into an empty net.
Mbappe made it 3-1 three minutes later, expertly guiding Rodrygo's ball into the top corner with laser-like precision, and the goal drew a passionate response from Ancelotti on the touchline - the Italian looking up to the director's box to vigorously pump his fists in celebration.
Rodrygo put the icing on Real Madrid's cake, turning home Fran Garcia's cross with a controlled first-time finish into Cillessen's bottom corner, before Las Palmas were reduced to ten players as Benito was shown a straight red card for catching Vazquez high on the body with his studs.
David Alaba was a second-half substitute for Madrid, continuing his return to action after a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a torn ACL.
Real Madrid player ratings (4-2-3-1)
Position / Player | Rating |
|---|---|
GK: Thibaut Courtois | 6.8/10 |
RB: Lucas Vazquez | 8.1/10 |
CB: Raul Asencio | 7.4/10 |
CB: Antonio Rudiger | 7.1/10 |
LB: Fran Garcia | 8.3/10 |
CM: Dani Ceballos | 8.9/10 |
CM: Federico Valverde | 7.2/10 |
RM: Brahim Diaz | 8.4/10 |
AM: Jude Bellingham | 8.2/10 |
LM: Rodrygo | 9.0/10 |
CF: Kylian Mbappe | 9.4/10 |
SUB: David Alaba (76' for Rudiger) | 6.1/10 |
SUB: Arda Guler (76' for Diaz) | 6.0/10 |
SUB: Chema Andres (83' for Ceballos) | N/A |
SUB: Endrick (84' for Rodrygo) | N/A |
SUB: Lorenzo Aguado (87' for Vazquez) | N/A |
Subs not used: Andriy Lunin (GK), Fran Gonzalez (GK), Ferland Mendy, Jacobo Ramon, Jesus Vallejo.
Player of the Match: Kylian Mbappe (Real Madrid)
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