Real Madrid hosted Villarreal on Saturday, with los Blancos in top form. Carlo Ancelotti’s side scored six last week when Valladolid visited the Bernabéu, before travelling to the Camp Nou where they picked up a 4-0 win to send Barcelona out of the Copa del Rey. Villarreal arrived at the Bernabéu looking to continue their great run of form, having won four of their last five games – breaking into the top five in the table. Villarreal won the return fixture earlier this season 2-1.
RMA: Courtois; Nacho, Alaba, Rudiger, Vazquez; Ceballos, Tchouameni, Asensio; Vinicius Jr, Benzema, Rodrygo
VIL: Reina; Pedraza, Torres, Mandi, Foyth; Baena, Parejo, Terrats; Yeremy, Lo Celso, Chukwueze
The game started with a dominant performance from Real Madrid, and they opened the scoring after excellent build-up play from Marco Asensio. The Spaniard fired a cross into the box, and it took a deflection off Pau Torres before settling in the back of the net.
Real Madrid’s lead did not last for long though, as because Samuel Chukwueze scored an amazing goal after receiving a fabulous through ball from Giovanni Lo Celso. The Nigerian then danced past Nacho Fernandez, eventually slotting home into the bottom left corner.
The game was level heading into the break, but Villarreal had been excellent against a superb Real Madrid side. The visitors surely fancied their chances of picking up all three points at the Bernabéu, but with Karim Benzema in top form, that would be no mean feat.
Real Madrid returned to the lead soon after the second half commenced. Vinicius Jr picked the ball up from Ceballos before driving forwards, firing past Reina from close range after nutmegging Mandi. Villarreal thought they’d equalised just ten minutes later though, as Mandi headed home to level the score once again – the defender was offside though, and the goal was disallowed.
Villarreal did bring themselves level in the 70th minute, after Chukwueze’s cross found Morales in the centre of the box. The Spaniard poked it past Thibaut Courtois – but this was disallowed too by the linesman! However, a quick VAR check found that there was in fact nothing wrong with the goal, and the on-field decision was overturned. The visitors were level!
The visitors took the lead with ten minutes left to play, as Chukwueze launched a sensational strike from the edge of the box. After a good passage of play with Baena, the Nigerian curled the ball around Courtois – and it looked as if the Submarines were back above water!
A loss at the Bernabéu represents Real Madrid’s first LaLiga loss at home since they were thrashed by Barcelona last season. Up next for Carlo Ancelotti’s side is a UEFA Champions League tie against Chelsea. Los Blancos will surely feel confident of getting a result on Wednesday, as Frank Lampard’s return to the dugouts ended in a 1-0 loss to Wolves on Saturday.
As for Villarreal, Quique Setien’s men will face Valladolid in their next match. Currently sitting fifth in the LaLiga standings, their dreams of a Champions League spot are still well and truly alive.
