Real Madrid continued their dominant run in La Liga, moving provisionally to the top of the table after a 3-1 home victory against Villarreal on Saturday night.
The win highlighted the team’s attacking prowess and solidified their push for another title under manager Carlo Ancelotti.
Vinícius Jr. was the star of the evening for Real Madrid, opening the scoring just two minutes after halftime with a deflected strike that caught the Villarreal goalkeeper off guard. The Brazilian doubled Madrid’s advantage in the 69th minute, confidently converting from the penalty spot after being fouled in the box.
Villarreal briefly fought back when Georges Mikautadze pulled one back in the 73rd minute, but their hopes were dashed when Santiago Mourino received a second yellow card for a soft challenge on Vinícius. Down to ten men, Villarreal could not contain the relentless Madrid attack.
Kylian Mbappé sealed the win for Real Madrid in the 81st minute with a composed finish, though he later left the pitch with a slight physical concern. The victory lifts Madrid two points clear of Barcelona, who face Sevilla on Sunday in their bid to reclaim the top spot.
Elsewhere in La Liga, Athletic Bilbao edged Mallorca 2-1 thanks to late heroics from Alejandro Rego, while Girona earned their first win of the season with a tense 2-1 victory over Valencia despite finishing with nine men.
With this triumph, Real Madrid not only reinforced their title credentials but also showcased the depth and resilience that continue to define their season.