Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal (Vinícius Júnior x2 & Kylian Mbappé). Back to winning ways… This is my quick reaction. Coming up: Player ratings, press conferences and another podcast.
Fans were still hurting
from the heavy derby defeat, and Villarreal would make sure that the road ahead would be no less bumpy for Los Blancos. Dean Huijsen returned, and Dani Ceballos continued to earn his place in the line-up. Captain Fede Valverde would play at right-back.
A slow start would eventually see Real Madrid creating the first chances of the game, missing through Vinícius Júnior and Franco Mastantuono. Thibaut Courtois would then find himself with something to do, stopping a routine effort – before Franco capped off an uneventful half with a strike that flew just wide of the post. 0-0 at half time.
The second half would provide some start contrast. Vinícius Júnior would immediately put Real Madrid ahead, with some quick feet aiding a fortunate deflection. The Brazilian would be at the double when he converted a penalty to seemingly put his side in pole position for the points. Jude Bellingham spurned a couple of chances, before Villarreal pulled one back to make it game on. After the visitors went down to ten men for a second yellow, they were punished as Kylian Mbappé registered his standard goal per game (at least) – with a cool finish for three. 3-1 the final score, with Real Madrid back in form. Happy with this one?
