Real Madrid have moved back to the top of La Liga via a dominant 4-1 home win over Las Palmas.
Kylian Mbappe netted twice, as Los Blancos stormed to victory on the back of a mixed start to 2025, with the France star moving up to 12 La Liga goals so far this season.
With Atletico Madrid losing at Leganes – ending a 15-game winning streak for Diego Simeone – and Barcelona held to a 1-1 draw at Getafe, Real Madrid took full advantage with a two-point lead over Simeone's side in second spot.
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Ancelotti labelled Mbappe as the best center-forward in world football after the game as the Italian aimed a jibe at his recent critics.
“Football can be like that, but I’m a bit confused because I’ve heard people say we play bad football – but we are leaders? It was a well-rounded game, complete, with quality and good attitude,” as per quotes from Marca.
“It started badly, but that didn’t change the dynamic. Mbappe helped us because he’s on a good run.”
Ancelotti now switches his attention to the UEFA Champions League as they host RB Salzburg on January 22. The defending European champions have work to do to reach the Round of 16 phase automatically.
Real Madrid are currently 22nd in the league phase table – with only the top eight qualifying without the need for a playoff – and a four point gap to that mark for Ancelotti as the competition returns.