Real Madrid moved to within one point of second-placed Atletico Madrid in La Liga courtesy of a 2-1 win over Leganes at the Bernabeu.
Gareth Bale and Borja Mayoral scored the goals for a Real Madrid side that will welcome Bayern Munich to the Bernabeu for the second leg of their Champions League semi-final next week.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
4.31pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Bernabeu as the Spanish champions Real Madrid welcome Madrid neighbours Leganes. Zinedine Zidane's side remain third in the table on 68 points, but a win here would see them move to within one point of second-placed Atletico Madrid. Leganes, meanwhile, sit down in 16th position – 12 points clear of the bottom three.
4.34pmReal Madrid ran out 3-1 winners over Leganes in the reverse league fixture back in February, but Leganes famously recorded a 2-1 victory at the Bernabeu in the quarter-finals of the Copa del Rey in January. It was an incredible night for the Madrid minnows as they overcame Los Blancos for the first time in their history. Can they repeat that result in this match? The team news is just filtering through here.
4.37pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news. Real Madrid were in Champions League action on Wednesday night - running out 2-1 winners over Bayern Munich in the first leg of their semi-final. Leganes, however, have not been in action since April 20.
4.40pmTEAMS!
REAL MADRID: Casilla; Achraf, Vallejo, Casemiro, Theo; Llorente, Kovacic, Ceballos; Bale, Benzema, Mayoral
LEGANES: Cuellar; Zaldua, Bustinza, Siovas, Rico; Perez, Brasanac, Gabriel; El Zhar, Guerrero, Amrabat
4.43pmReal Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has made 10 changes from the team that started against Bayern, with Casemiro the only player to keep his spot. The Brazilian will seemingly play at centre-back alongside Jesus Vallejo, while Marcos Llorente, Dani Ceballos and Borja Mayoral are given rare chances to impress. Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema both start, as does Kiko Casilla between the sticks.
© Offside
4.46pmAs for Leganes, Nabil El Zhar and Nordin Amrabat join Miguel Angel Guerrero in the final third. Claudio Beauvue and Javier Eraso had been tipped to start for the visitors in attacking positions, but both are named on the bench. It is the same back four that started against Deportivo La Coruna last time out.
4.49pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in the Spanish capital. I shall speak about Leganes and their 2017-18 campaign a little bit later, but let's start with Real Madrid. As mentioned above, Los Blancos will enter this match off the back of a 2-1 win away to Bayern in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final on Wednesday night.
4.52pm
👋🏟 The lads are here!#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/MozR9FL1gZ
— Real Madrid C.F.🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) April 28, 2018
4.55pmJoshua Kimmich sent Bayern ahead on the night, but Marcelo levelled the scores before Marco Asensio came off the bench to register for the European champions. Real Madrid are attempting to win the Champions League for the third year in a row, but they are not going to retain their Spanish title.
4.58pmIndeed, Zidane's side are currently third in La Liga - 15 points behind runaway leaders Barcelona. Real Madrid have won 20 of their 33 league fixtures this term, but eight draws and five defeats have made it impossible to match a Barcelona team that are yet to taste defeat in Spain's top flight this season.
5.02pmA win for Real Madrid in this match, however, would move them to within one point of second-placed Atletico Madrid on the same number of matches. Los Blancos have won 10 home league fixtures this season, but have dropped points in seven La Liga clashes at the Bernabeu this term, and needed a late Cristiano Ronaldo goal to draw with Athletic Bilbao last weekend. A home victory here is not a formality.
5.05pm
👌 @Casemiro#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/FPRIPBQFJh
— Real Madrid C.F.🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@realmadriden) April 28, 2018
5.08pmIt will be very interesting to see what happens with Zidane at the end of the season. It would be extraordinary if the Frenchman lost his job having led the team to three successive Champions League titles, but there is no getting away from the fact that Real Madrid have been disappointing in the league.
5.12pmAs for Leganes, the Madrid minnows are well on course to enjoy another season of La Liga football. They finished 17th in Spain's top flight last term, but are currently 16th, and actually only three points off 12th position. More importantly though, Leganes sit 12 points clear of the relegation zone.
5.15pmEleven wins and seven draws have brought Leganes 40 points, and they have actually beaten Sevilla and Celta Vigo in recent weeks. The capital club picked up a home draw against Deportivo last time out, but they are without an away success in the league since a 2-0 victory at Malaga back in October.
5.18pm
The lads are warming up! #RealMadridLeganés #VamosLega #ComeOnLega pic.twitter.com/HrxsEsXcGQ
— C.D. Leganés 🇺🇸🇬🇧 (@CDLeganes_en) April 28, 2018
5.22pmIn terms of what is ahead for Leganes, Asier Garitano's side will host Levante in their next La Liga match on May 7, before travelling to Real Sociedad and hosting Real Betis in their final two league fixtures of the season. This clash is a free hit for a Leganes side that, as mentioned, have already enjoyed success at the Bernabeu during the 2017-18 campaign. It should be a really good game.
5.25pmHere we go then; both sets of players are in the tunnel ahead of kickoff at the Bernabeu. It is Real Madrid versus Leganes in Spain's top flight, and you can follow minute-by-minute updates right here!
0 minKICKOFF! Real Madrid kick things off on home soil...
2 min... it is not a particularly important match in the context of Real Madrid's season, but the home supporters have turned out in their numbers, and there is a really good atmosphere inside the stadium. Let's hope that Leganes have come to play, which would create an open affair in Madrid.
4 minHalf-chance for the home side as Bale finds space in an advanced area before striking towards goal, but the ball was always flying wide of the post. Quite an open start to this all-Madrid contest.
6 minLeganes have had a decent amount of the ball in the first six minutes, although Casilla has not yet been troubled between the sticks. There is a nice, open feel to the match at the Bernabeu.
8 minGood spell for Leganes in the last couple of minutes following some loose Real Madrid passing. Amrabat and Guerrero both wait for a cross from El Zhar, but Vallejo makes the clearance.
8 minGOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Leganes (Bale)
9 minReal Madrid make the breakthrough in the eighth minute of this match as Bale manages to turn home from close range after Benzema's strike had been blocked. An ugly goal, but it is a goal!
12 minI would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as Leganes continue to commit players in the final third of the field. El Zhar and Amrabat are alongside Guerrero in the final third, which means that there is a lot of space for Real Madrid in the midfield positions here.
14 minBale tries to catch Leganes goalkeeper Cuellar out from distance, but the Welshman's volley was always wide of the post. Bale looks keen to make a point this afternoon, that is for sure.
16 minHalf-chance for the away side as Amrabat finds space in a wide position before delivering towards the head of Guerrero, but the number nine just cannot make contact under pressure from Casemiro.
18 minBale is again involved for the home side as the Welshman drives down the right before delivering low towards Benzema, but the ball hits Siovas before rebounding off Bale and behind for a goal kick.
21 minNot too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of minutes, with both teams enjoying spells in possession. Leganes are not sinking despite conceding early on in Madrid.
23 minWe have not seen an awful lot from Benzema in the opening 23 minutes, but there is no question that the Frenchman will be desperate to get his name on the scoresheet before the night is out here.
25 minLeganes have a free kick in a dangerous area as Casemiro brings Amrabat to the deck...
26 min... CLOSE! Guerrero meets Rico's free kick, and his header just misses the far post!
28 minCHANCE! Another chance for the away side as Guerrero goes to meet a low cross from El Zhar, but the striker cannot make contact with an attempted flick. Good moments for Leganes.
29 minOFF-THE-LINE! Mayoral has a shot cleared off the line by Bustinza as Real Madrid threaten!
31 minLittle under 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and the play continues to flow from end-to-end as both teams commit players in the final third of the field. It has been a really good game thus far.
33 minLeganes again work their way into the Real Madrid box, and Llorente has to come across to clear a low Brasanac cross. The away side have had plenty of good moments in this match.
34 minSAVE! Cuellar keeps out a curling Ceballos effort from the edge of the box.
36 minCROSSBAR! Amrabat clips the top of the crossbar with an effort from outside the box. The visitors Leganes are really unfortunate to still be behind in this football match.
38 minLittle over five minutes of the first period remaining, and it has been a very open game of football at the Bernabeu. Real Madrid are currently on the front foot as Kovacic prepares to deliver a corner.
41 minBale heads another Real Madrid corner wide of the post as we approach the final stages of the first period. Bale's early goal, which was scrappy to say the least, still separates the two teams here.
43 minJust a reminder that a win for Real Madrid here would move them to within one point of second-placed Atletico. The title is gone, but Zidane will be desperate to finish above Atletico this season.
44 minCLOSE! Ceballos just misses the target with a curler from the edge of the box.
45 minGOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Leganes (Mayoral)
45+1 minReal Madrid double their lead on the stroke of the interval as Mayoral turns home from close range! Leganes wanted offside, and actually thought that the offside had been called, but the referee signalled that the goal would stand before blowing for the interval. Strange turn of events there!
45+1 minHALF-TIME: Real Madrid 2-0 Leganes
6.17pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Leganes 2-0 courtesy of goals from Bale and Mayoral. The visitors have had plenty of positive moments, but Bale netted in the eighth minute for the home side before Mayoral tapped home for 2-0 late in the first half!
6.22pmSTATISTICS! Real Madrid dominated the first-half possession with 59%, while they managed nine attempts - four of which were on target. Leganes, meanwhile, had five attempts, but failed to test Casilla. That said, the visitors have come close on a couple of occasions to registering here.
6.27pmBENCH WATCH! Real Madrid have an embarrassment of riches on their bench tonight, with the likes of Asensio, Kroos, Vazquez, Marcelo and Modric all in reserve. However, Zidane will surely want to rest the majority of those ahead of their Champions League semi-final second leg next week. Leganes boss Garitano, meanwhile, has options in the shape of Beauvue, Eraso, Garcia and Gambau.
46 minRESTART! Leganes resume the action here...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. It will be very interesting to see whether Zidane decides to introduce the likes of Asensio and Kroos in this game.
49 minQuite a scrappy start to the second period, with both teams conceding possession in the middle of the park. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals with 49 minutes on the clock.
51 minCHANCE! Huge chance for the away side as El Zhar delivers onto the head of Guerrero, but once again the striker passes up the chance as he nods into the ground. Poor!
53 minLeganes again work their way into the box with some smart football, but Casemiro is across to make a fine challenge. The Brazilian has been excellent in the centre-back position here.
54 minReal Madrid have a free kick just outside the Leganes box as Ceballos is felled by Perez...
55 min... Casemiro's free kick is gathered comfortably by the away side's goalkeeper.
58 minStill no movement on either bench as we approach the hour mark. Leganes still fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet here, but Casemiro has been wonderful for the home side at the back.
60 minThere is some movement on both benches, which is not a surprise at this stage.
62 minREAL MADRID SUBS! Asensio and Kroos replace Benzema and Kovacic.
63 minLEGANES SUB! Beauvue replaces Guerrero for the away side.
65 minNot an awful lot happening at the moment as Real Madrid keep the ball without really threatening to break through the lines. It will be very interesting to see who is the home side's third substitute here.
66 minGOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Leganes (Brasanac)
67 minLeganes are back in this football match as Amrabat delivers down the right before flashing a low cross into the Real Madrid box, and Brasanac simply cannot miss from close range!
68 minBale is bundled to the ground by Rico inside the Leganes box, but the referee is not interested!
69 minComfortable save for Casilla to keep out a low strike from Perez.
71 minSAVE! Amrabat brings a decent save from Casilla with a powerful strike.
72 minCLOSE! Bale just misses the Leganes goal from the edge of the box.
73 minBOOKING! Zaldua (Leganes) is booked for a poor tackle on Ceballos.
74 minSAVE! Incredible save from Casilla to keep out an effort from Bustinza, who had somehow managed to meet a deep cross with the ball almost going out of play!
76 minLeganes are the team on the front foot at the moment as they continue to commit players in the final third. Theo Hernandez is really struggling to deal with Zaldua and Amrabat in a wide area here.
77 minHalf-chance for Gabriel, but the Leganes skipper heads over the crossbar from close range.
78 minCLOSE! Beauvue spots Casilla off his line, and the striker's effort from distance just misses the goal! Wonderful piece of invention from the Leganes forward there.
80 minReal Madrid are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment here.
82 minLeganes continue to fashion half-chances, and Amrabat has just sent a low effort wide of the Real Madrid goal. The away side have been excellent in the second half of this football match.
84 minSmart defending from Theo Hernandez as the left-back beats Beauvue to a Leganes free kick. Real Madrid just cannot find a way to ease the pressure, and we still have over five minutes remaining.
86 minYou just get the feeling that there is going to be one more big incident in the final stages of this match. Leganes continue to boss the possession as they pass and probe in the final third.
88 minBit of possession for Real Madrid as we approach the final moments of this La Liga clash.
90 minVallejo does well to clear two crosses in quick succession as Leganes put the pressure on here.
90+1 minLEGANES SUBS! Amrabat and Darko are replaced by Naranjo and Eraso.
90+2 minWe are into the second of two additional minutes at the end of the 90 here.
90+3 minFULL-TIME: Real Madrid 2-1 Leganes
7.20pmRED CARD! GABRIEL!
7.22pmGabriel was sent off after the final whistle for something that he said to the referee! El Zhar had the ball at his feet in a dangerous position when the final whistle went, and Leganes captain Gabriel was not happy about it! Anyway, Real Madrid have run out 2-1 winners at the Bernabeu! Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again. Until next time!
