Mbappe fires Real Madrid level with Barca as Atletico bid crumbles

Kylian Mbappe struck twice as Real Madrid came from behind to beat Leganes 3-2 on Saturday, pulling level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona.

Carlo Ancelotti's side won an entertaining game at the Santiago Bernabeu to put pressure on their bitter rivals, who host Girona in a Catalan derby on Sunday.

Mbappe put Los Blancos ahead from the penalty spot but goals from Diego Garcia and Dani Raba sent the relegation-battling minnows ahead before the break.

Jude Bellingham levelled for Madrid early in the second half before Mbappe whipped home a free-kick to claim three points for the champions.

Barcelona and Real Madrid are six clear of third-placed Atletico Madrid, who drew at Espanyol earlier Saturday.

"(Mbappe) is making the difference and that's what we want from him," said Madrid coach Ancelotti.

The superstar's brace took him to 33 goals for the season across all competitions in 44 games, equalling the tally Real Madrid's all-time top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo notched in the 2009-10 season, his first year at the club.

"It's very special... to have the same number of goals as Cristiano is always good," Mbappe told Real Madrid TV. "We know what he means for Real Madrid and me, we speak, he gives me a lot of advice, he scored many goals -- but we have to win trophies here."

Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid's slim Spanish title hopes faded further with a disappointing draw at Espanyol. Javi Puado earned the Catalan side a point with a penalty after Cesar Azpilicueta put the visitors ahead in spectacular fashion.