Real Madrid continues to rival Barcelona in La Liga: Kylian Mbappe’s direct free-kick goal equals Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland’s records

Beyond Real Madrid’s win, this match marked a significant moment in Kylian Mbappe’s career, as he scored his first-ever direct free-kick goal, etching his name alongside some of the greatest goalscorers in soccer history.

As La Liga’s title race intensifies, Real Madrid once again proved their resilience, securing a 3-2 comeback win against Leganes at the Santiago Bernabeu. The victory sees Los Blancos draw level with Barcelona on points, setting up a thrilling finale to the season. But beyond the result, this match marked a significant moment in Kylian Mbappe’s career, as he scored his first-ever direct free-kick goal, etching his name alongside some of the greatest goalscorers in soccer history.

Leganes, a side battling relegation, arrived at the Bernabeu with little expectation but stunned the home crowd by taking the lead before halftime. Los Blancos started brightly, with Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham testing Leganes’ goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic, but it was Mbappe who broke the deadlock in the 32nd minute.

After Arda Guler was fouled in the box, the French forward stepped up to take the penalty. Instead of a conventional strike, he cheekily chipped the ball down the middle, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way—a touch of class that underlined his confidence.

However, the lead was short-lived. Just a minute later, Leganes equalized through Diego García, and before halftime, Dani Raba put the visitors ahead, leaving Carlo Ancelotti’s side trailing 2-1. Los Blancos, unbeaten at home in La Liga since October, needed a response. Within two minutes of the second half, Bellingham fired in an equalizer, capitalizing on a rebound after Brahim Díaz’s shot was deflected onto the crossbar.

Ancelotti then made key changes, bringing on Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo Goes, and Fede Valverde, looking to turn the game around. Leganes held firm, but as the match entered its final quarter-hour, Madrid found their moment.

Mbappe’s historic free-kick goal

In the 76th minute, the home side won a free kick just outside the box. Fran García laid the ball off for Mbappe, who curled a stunning shot around the wall and into the bottom corner. It was a landmark goal—the first time the French superstar had ever scored directly from a free kick in his career.

His celebration showed just how much it meant to him, and for Madrid, it was the goal that secured three vital points in the title race.

Matching impressive records: Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland

Beyond its importance in the match, Mbappe’s goal saw him enter elite company. With 33 goals in his debut season at Real Madrid, he now matches Cristiano Ronaldo’s tally from the Portuguese star’s first season at the club in 2009-10. Only Ivan Zamorano now stands ahead of him in that regard.

Meanwhile, the Frenchman’s prolific scoring run also sees him level with Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. According to StatMuse FC on X (formerly Twitter), the two strikers have 21 league goals each this season, and 48 league goals each since the start of last season

The battle between Mbappe and Haaland is shaping up to define soccer’s next great rivalry.