Vinicius Junior scored a brace to help Real Madrid secure a 3–1 victory over Villarreal on Saturday.
Gatekeepers News reports that the triumph helped Real Madrid reclaim the top spot in La Liga. Kylian Mbappé also found the net as Los Blancos bounced back strongly from last week’s derby defeat.
The win puts Real Madrid two points ahead of defending champions Barcelona, who face Sevilla on Sunday. After a demanding midweek trip to Kazakhstan for their Champions League win over Kairat, Madrid returned home determined to redeem themselves following their 5–2 defeat to Atlético Madrid.
Coach Xabi Alonso made key adjustments, moving Fede Valverde to right-back in place of injured defenders Dani Carvajal and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Despite a quiet first half, Madrid dominated possession and created better chances, with Franco Mastantuono and Kylian Mbappé linking up well in attack.
Madrid broke the deadlock early in the second half as Vinicius’s strike deflected off Santi Comesaña and wrong-footed Villarreal goalkeeper Arnau Tenas. The Brazilian later doubled the lead from the penalty spot after being fouled by Rafa Marín, though Tenas nearly saved the attempt.
Substitute Jude Bellingham, left out of England’s upcoming qualifiers, came on hungry to prove himself but was denied twice by Tenas. Villarreal briefly reduced the deficit through Georges Mikautadze’s clinical finish, but Madrid quickly restored control.
A red card to Santiago Mourino for a second bookable offense on Vinicius weakened Villarreal further, and Mbappé sealed the win with his ninth league goal of the season, becoming La Liga’s top scorer.
