Real Madrid moved to the top of La Liga after a 3-1 home win over third-placed Villarreal on Saturday, thanks to two goals from Vinicius Junior and a strike by Kylian Mbappe.
The Brazilian winger opened the scoring in the 47th minute with a low drive that clipped Santi Comesana's heel before wrong-footing goalkeeper Arnau Tenas. He doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the 69th minute after being barged over — a duty usually reserved for Mbappe.
Villarreal pulled one back when winger Georges Mikautadze unleashed a 20-meter shot past Thibaut Courtois. But defender Santiago Mourino saw red four minutes later for a second yellow card after fouling Vinicius, leaving Villarreal to play with ten men.
In the 81st minute, Mbappe grabbed his 14th goal in 10 appearances this season, exchanging passes with Brahim Diaz before finding the net. Moments after scoring, the French star signaled he could not continue, clutching his right ankle as he left the pitch.
The victory puts Real two points above defending champions Barcelona, who can reclaim the lead with a win against Sevilla on Sunday despite missing star winger Lamine Yamal due to a groin issue.
Reference(s):
Vinicius, Mbappe find net to help Real Madrid put away Villarreal 3-1
cgtn.com
