Real Madrid 3-1 Villareal: Brazilian winger shines as Xabi Alonso’s side keep Yellow Submarine at bay
A Vinicius Junior brace and a late Kylian Mbappe goal helped Real Madrid beat Villarreal 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday.
The win provisionally moved Xabi Alonso’s side to the top of La Liga ahead of Barcelona’s tricky meeting with Sevilla on Sunday.
It was 0-0 at half time, despite Mbappe, Arda Guler, Aurelien Tchouameni and Franco Mastantuono all going close, but Madrid went ahead almost immediately after the restart.
Vinicius was released down the left by Mbappe, and he cut inside and fired in the opener with the help of a considerable deflection off Santi Comesana.
The Brazilian then added his second midway through the half from the penalty spot after being fouled by Rafa Marin.
Villarreal had some very nice moments and will rue not making much out of them. Tani Oluwaseyi somehow failed to score when he had two clear opportunities in front of the Madrid goal in the first half, and just after the hour Nicolas Pepe bolted down the inside right channel but his dangerous cross failed to find a teammate.
The Yellow Submarine continued to threaten and pulled one back when Georges Mikautadze was left unmarked at the edge of the box and his low drive sailed past Thibaut Courtois.
Any chance of a late comeback ended when Villarreal’s Santiago Mourino was dismissed with a second yellow card for fouling Vinicius, although the right-back will feel hard done by.
Madrid soon put the match beyond doubt, Mbappe tapping in from a Brahim Diaz return pass, after Jude Bellingham had made an outstanding tackle to win the ball back in front of the Villareal box.
