Kylian Mbappe scored an audacious Panenka penalty and completed a career-first to help Real Madrid to a 3-2 win over Leganes on Saturday night.
Mbappe’s brace proved crucial as Los Blancos were 2-1 behind at the interval and looking like they were going to miss out on a vital win.
But a goal from England midfielder Jude Bellingham just two minutes after half-time drew the scores level.
Mbappe then recorded a career-first, scoring his maiden free kick in professional football to give Carlo Ancelotti’s side all three points and move them level on points in LaLiga with arch-rivals Barcelona.
In the first half, the Frenchman’s penalty was chipped straight down the middle with Leganes goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic feinting low to his left as the ball nestled into the centre of the net.
He would then go on to score the first free-kick of his career with an effort that arrowed into the bottom right-hand corner.
Kylian Mbappe scored an audacious Panenka penalty and completed a career-first to help Real Madrid to a 3-2 win over Leganes on Saturday night
Mbappe’s brace proved crucial as Los Blancos were 2-1 behind at the interval and looking like they were going to miss out on a vital wi
Taken 21 yards out, it saw the ball laid back to him by Fran Garcia before he curled home the winner, sparking wild celebrations inside the Bernabeu.
It was the 33rd goal he had scored in his debut campaign in the Spanish capital – which was the same number achieved by Cristiano Ronaldo following his move from Manchester United in 2009.
The result saw Real move level on points with Barcelona although Ancelotti’s men have played a game more than their rivals – who host Girona on Sunday.
Both sides also currently sit six points clear of Atletico Madrid as of Saturday night, after the Rojiblancos were held to a 1-1 draw by Espanyol.
In what could prove to a pivotal sub-plot in the LaLiga title race, Barcelona could be required to forfeit their game against Osasuna should they be found guilty of fielding an ineligible player.
Osasuna filed an appeal to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) which claimed that Inigo Martinez should not have been allowed to appear for the Catalan side after he withdrew from the Spain squad for March’s international break.
Osasuna argue that his withdrawal rendered him ineligible to play against them according to FIFA regulations.
RFEF regulations state that if a team select a player who does ‘not meet the requirements to participate’ the relevant club must forfeit the match – with their opposition being declared the winner.
Barcelona have reportedly admitted that they were aware of allegedly fielding an ineligible player in their La Liga fixture against Osasuna on Thursday night.
Osasuna filed an appeal to the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) which claimed that Martinez should not have been allowed to appear for the Catalan side
According to a report from Catalunya Radio, via Diario Sport, Barcelona were said to be alerted to Martinez’s inclusion in their starting lineup being a risk – only to give their manager Hansi Flick the green light to play him anyway.
The report also claims that sources close to the club wanted to avoid any legal risk, which is why they were said to have sought legal advice on the matter from specialists in sport administration law.
In a statement released on Friday, Osasuna referenced Article 5 of Annex I of FIFA Regulations.
This states that a player is, ‘unless otherwise agreed by the relevant association, not entitled to play for the club with which he is registered during the period for which he has been released or should have been released… plus an additional period of five days.’
RFER rules state: ‘A club that improperly fields a player who does not meet the requirements to participate in a match shall forfeit this match and the opponent shall be declared the winner with a score of three goals to zero.’
Mail Sport has contacted FC Barcelona for comment.