Match summary
Real Madrid secured a thrilling 2-1 victory over Villarreal in an action-packed matchday 27 of LaLiga. Juan Foyth gave Villarreal the lead in the sixth minute, but Kylian Mbappé, with a pair of goals (16′ and 22′), turned the tide in favor of the Whites. With this result, Real Madrid remains provisionally top of the table, pending the outcome of the match between Barcelona and Atlético de Madrid.
Lineups
- Villarreal (4-4-2):
- Goalkeeper: Diego Conde
- Defenders: Kiko Femenía, Raúl Albiol, Logan Costa, Sergi Cardona
- Midfielders: Yéremy Pino (replaced by Santi Comesaña, 70′), Dani Parejo (replaced by Ramón Terrats, 80′), Pape Gueye, Álex Baena (replaced by Ilias Akhomach, 70′)
- Forwards: Thierno Barry, Ayoze Pérez (replaced by Juan Bernat, 85′)
- Technician: Marcelino García Toral
- Real Madrid (4-3-3):
- Goalkeeper: Thibaut Courtois
- Defenders: Lucas Vázquez, Antonio Rüdiger, Raúl Asencio, Fran García
- Midfielders: Federico Valverde, Aurélien Tchouaméni (replaced by Luka Modrić, 75′), Jude Bellingham
- Forwards: Rodrygo (replaced by Brahim Díaz, 80′), Kylian Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior
- Coach: Carlo Ancelotti
Goals
- Villarreal 1-0 (Juan Foyth, 6′) : After a corner taken by Álex Baena from the left, the ball was loose in the six-yard box following a failed clearance by Tchouaméni. Foyth, alert, headed it past Courtois from close range.
- Villarreal 1-1 (Kylian Mbappé, 16′) : Bellingham slipped a precise pass to Mbappé, who finished with a cross shot from the edge of the area, out of reach of Conde.
- Villarreal 1-2 (Kylian Mbappé, 22′) : Vinícius Júnior broke down the left and crossed low; Mbappé, anticipating Albiol, fired a first-time shot inside the far post.
MVP of the match
Kylian Mbappé : The French striker became Real Madrid’s hero by scoring two goals in just six minutes, showcasing his speed, accuracy, and ability to finish under pressure. He was also heavily involved in team play and created constant dangerous opportunities. Thibaut Courtois also shone with some key saves, but it was Mbappé’s attacking impact that really made the difference
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Anecdotes
- Visible fatigue : Real Madrid’s players were exhausted after playing 1-0 in the Champions League match against Atlético Madrid on Wednesday. Courtois and Vinícius were seen visibly fatigued at the end, with the Belgian lying on the pitch after the final whistle.
- Mbappé’s subdued celebration : After his second goal, Mbappé opted for a subdued celebration, pointing at the crowd and his teammates, a gesture interpreted as a response to recent criticism about his adaptation to the team.
- Clash on the bench : Marcelino was caught on camera arguing angrily with his assistant after Madrid’s second goal, expressing frustration at the lack of marking.
VAR controversies
The match had two controversial moments reviewed by the VAR, officiated by referee Jesús Gil Manzano:
- Penalty not awarded to Villarreal (33rd minute) : Thierno Barry went down in the box after contact with Rüdiger. The referee didn’t signal anything, and VAR upheld the decision, although replays showed a slight push. Marcelino protested vehemently, arguing that it was a clear penalty.
- Real Madrid goal disallowed (62nd minute) : Vinícius scored after a pass from Bellingham, but VAR detected a positional offside by Rodrygo, which interfered with Conde’s vision. The decision sparked debate on social media, with many Real Madrid fans arguing that the goalkeeper wouldn’t have made it anyway.
Technical and tactical analysis
- Villarreal : Marcelino opted for a solid 4-4-2, aiming to press high and exploit the flanks through Pino and Baena. The early goal reflected that initial intensity, but the defense became disorganized after the equalizer. In the second half, the team managed to maintain 40% possession and looked for counterattacks, but their lack of precision in the closing stages (only 3 of 12 shots on goal) cost them dearly. Thierno Barry and Ayoze Pérez showed their incisiveness, but they lacked the necessary support after the substitutions.
- Real Madrid : Ancelotti decided to go with a flexible 4-3-3 formation, using Bellingham as the link between midfield and attack. The defense, featuring Asencio as a new addition, struggled in the early minutes, but Courtois stepped up to cover the gaps. The trio of Mbappé, Vinícius, and Rodrygo was deadly during quick transitions, taking full advantage of the spaces left open by Villarreal. In the second half, Madrid slowed down the pace and gave up some initiative, relying on their lead and the solid performances from Valverde and Tchouaméni (until he was substituted).
- Tactical Key : Madrid’s ability to react after the opening goal, adjusting their pressure and capitalizing on Villarreal’s defensive errors, made the difference. Villarreal, on the other hand, failed to close out the match after the 1-0 lead.
Comments from players and coaches
- Carlo Ancelotti (Real Madrid) : “It was a tough match. They started very strongly and we struggled to get into the game. Mbappé was spectacular, but everyone gave a huge effort after Wednesday. We need to manage these fixtures better; the players are at their limit.”
- Marcelino García Toral (Villarreal) : “We played a great game, but we lacked decisiveness after the 1-0. The penalty on Barry could have changed everything, but I don’t understand why it wasn’t called. Madrid have the quality to punish you for any mistake.”
- Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) : “I’m happy with the goals and the win. It was a tough match, but the team showed character. I want to keep helping like this.”
- Thibaut Courtois (Real Madrid) : “They made us suffer at the start, but we managed to come back. The fatigue is noticeable, we need a rest.”
- Alex Baena (Villarreal) : “We had chances to equalize, but they’re lethal. The referee didn’t help us with that penalty.”
Newspaper covers from around the world
- Spain :
- Marca : “Mbappé saves Madrid at the Cerámica” (photo of Mbappé celebrating).
- AS : “Madrid is suffering, but leads with a stellar Mbappé.”
- France :
- L’Équipe : “Mbappé, king at Villarreal: double and lead” (emphasis on his performance).
- United Kingdom :
- The Guardian : “Mbappé’s magic keeps Real Madrid on top in thrilling Villarreal win.”
- Italy :
- La Gazzetta dello Sport : “Mbappé ribalta tutto: Real primo in Liga.”
- Argentina :
- Olé : “Mbappé is crazy: brace and key victory for Madrid.”
- USA :
- ESPN : “Mbappe’s brace powers Real Madrid past Villarreal in LaLiga showdown.”
Most commented
- Mbappé as a savior : His brace was the dominant topic on social media and in the media, with praise for his ability to decide key matches.
- VAR controversy : Barry’s non-penalty and Vinícius’ disallowed goal sparked intense debate, with criticism of the refereeing from Villarreal and defense of the decisions from Madrid.
- Real Madrid fatigue : The physical wear and tear after the Champions League was evident, and many pointed to the schedule as a critical factor.
- Villarreal’s failure after the 1-0 : The home team’s inability to maintain its lead was a recurring point among analysts.
Conclusion
The 2-1 draw between Villarreal and Real Madrid was a true reflection of the intensity of LaLiga. Villarreal started bravely and surprised everyone, but Real Madrid, showing their resilience and with Mbappé in a state of grace, managed to turn the score around. VAR decisions added a touch of drama to the match, while tactical analysis revealed both the strengths and weaknesses of both teams. This victory not only strengthens Madrid’s title aspirations but also highlights their reliance on individual moments in such a demanding schedule.
