Defending champions Real Madrid come from behind to defeat Regan, who was threatened by relegation at Lariga, 3-2.
Kylian Mbappe scored twice, helping Lear Madrid pulled out the upbeat Leganes against Barcelona at the top of Laliga, 3-2, helping Atletico Madrid fall further behind in the title race.
The match between the defending champion and the team trying to stop the relegation was billed as an easy three-pointer for Madrid. That was nothing as Leganes showed much more bites than expected at the Santiago Bernabéu.
After Mbappe advanced Madrid from the penalty spot in the 32nd minute, Leggers quickly returned after a reboot to surprise the home crowd. Left back Valentin Rosier was clear sprinted on the right flank and crossed for Oscar Rodriguez.
Minnows in southern Madrid did it again on the 41st. This time, Roger stole the ball from Brahim Diaz and ran down the center of the pitch to play Rodriguez Clear.
Leganes’ Dani Raba celebrates with a second goal [Isabel Infantes/Reuters]
The Leganes continued to threaten their third goal, but Madrid took advantage of their second half chance to turn it around.
Jude Bellingham was equal when he rushed in to finish the rebound. Mbappe made a brace from a free kick and sliced the ball around the barrier and just inside the post after a tough foul call protested by Legane.
Mbappe has 22 goals for Lariga, but fewer than Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski.
Real Madrid’s Killian Mbappe scored the team’s first goal from a penalty kick [Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images]
Barcelona can reestablish a three-point lead when hosting Girona on Sunday.
Atletico Madrid stumbles again in Lariga’s title race
Atletico’s 1-1 draw at Espanyol left nine rounds behind this weekend, leaving him on six points for the frontrunners.
Cesar Azpilicueta advanced with Atletico on the 38th, with an epic volley of clearance by Espanyol defenders, who dropped him outside the area. The 35-year-old defender celebrated his first career goal at Lariga.
Espanyol was pushed into the second half and Jabi Puad changed the penalty to level on the 71st after Clement Lenlett pulled Leandro Cabrera down as he challenged the cross in the box.
Atletico led the league in January and looked poised to take the best shot to win the title he won twice under Diego Simeone’s 10-year rep. However, the wheels came off in March. The slip at Espanyol followed successive losses to Getafe and Barcelona, scattering two defeats to Madrid on the 16 Champions Lee Grounds.
Atletico leaves the smoke, but Griezmann passes by Messi
Atletico goalkeeper Jan Obrak didn’t hide his disappointment, especially after the club spent the big time putting together Spain’s deepest team.
“Two more important points have left us. It’s hard to understand why this is happening,” Oblak said. “We talked in January about how we need to be consistent to compete for the title, but we haven’t shown that. The teams behind are closed and the teams at the top are running away.”
Oblak said Atletico will have to reorganize for the second leg semi-final against Barcelona for Copa del Rey’s second leg semi-final on Wednesday, as he “want to fight for that title at least.”
Simeone himself said the title would be decided “in the last five rounds.”
15th place Espanyol is unbeaten in nine home games and is a run that includes a shocking victory over Real Madrid.
Atletico defender Robin Le Normande had to replace him after knocking on the Espanyol player and head.
Atletico forward Antoine Griezmann sets a new record for the game played by Lariga’s foreigners with 521 contestants. The French forward surpassed the 520 game played by Argentine Lionel Messi.
Mikel Oyarzabal and Sergio Gómez scored by defeating Valladolid, where Real Sociedad was last placed, 2-1.
Rayo Vallecano left Alaves in the relegation zone with a 2-0 victory on the roads of Vitoria.
