Defending champions Real Madrid bounced back from a shock Champions League defeat to Lille with a hard-fought 2-0 win over high-flying Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday. Goals from Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior helped Los Blancos reduce the distance with La Liga leaders Barcelona.
The Stage is Set at the Bernabeu
Real Madrid entered this match on the back of a disappointing 1-0 loss to Lille in the Champions League and a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in their previous La Liga outing. Carlo Ancelotti’s side were determined to get back to winning ways and keep pace with rivals Barcelona at the top of the table.
Villarreal, meanwhile, have enjoyed a brilliant start to the season under manager Marcelino Garcia Toral. The Yellow Submarine sat just one point behind Real Madrid before kick-off, having won five of their first eight games, with their only defeat coming against league leaders Barcelona.
Ancelotti made two changes to the side that lost to Lille, with Andrii Lunin continuing to stand in for the injured Thibaut Courtois in goal and Aurelien Tchouameni dropping into defence to replace the injured Eder Militao. Luka Modric and Kylian Mbappe also returned to the starting line-up.
Villarreal made three changes, with experienced centre-back Raul Albiol replacing Eric Bailly, while Santi Comesana and Alex Baena came in for Ilias Akhomach and the absent Denis Suarez.
Valverde Strikes The First Goal for Real Madrid
Real Madrid made the perfect start when Federico Valverde’s deflected strike from the edge of the box gave them a 14th-minute lead. Captain Luka Modric’s corner was only partially cleared, and Valverde’s effort took a wicked deflection to wrong-foot Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Conde.
Villarreal nearly hit back immediately, with Nicolas Pepe’s header rattling the crossbar just two minutes later. The visitors continued to press, but Real Madrid finished the half strongly, with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappe going close to doubling the lead.
At half-time, Real Madrid led 1-0 despite Villarreal’s spirited response.
Real Madrid Wins 2-0 Against Villarreal
The second half began with controversy, as the referee initially pointed to the spot when Tchouameni appeared to bring down Thierno Barry in the box. However, the assistant referee’s offside flag spared Real Madrid.
Villarreal continued to threaten, with Alex Baena’s free-kick grazing the side-netting. But it was Real Madrid who found the crucial second goal, with Vinicius Junior’s spectacular strike in the 73rd minute effectively sealing the three points.
There was a sour note for the hosts, though, as right-back Dani Carvajal was stretchered off with what looked like a serious knee injury, following a crash with Yeremy Pino.
On Sunday, Carvajal shared more about his current condition: “Serious cruciate ligament injury confirmed,” he wrote on Instagram. “I’m going to have to go through surgery and be off the field for a few months. Already looking forward to starting recovery and coming back like a beast. Thank you all so much for your messages, I feel very loved.”
What’s Next for Real Madrid and Villarreal
The 2-0 win puts Real Madrid in second place with 21 points, while Villarreal stands in fourth place with 17 points. Real Madrid will look to build on this victory when they face Celta Vigo on October 19, while Villarreal will host Getafe on October 20, after the international break.
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