Real Madrid have experienced a week in which they have gone from drama to euphoria. Now, after the euphoria of the Champions League and with less than 72 hours to recover physically, it was time to refocus on the battle with Barça and Atlético Madrid for the league championship. This Saturday, on the twenty-eighth matchday of LaLiga, the Whites visited Villarreal at the Cerámica, where they had not won since the 2016-17 season, with a record of one defeat and six draws.
Real Madrid needed a win to go to the top of the table and put pressure on Barça and Atlético, who face each other this Sunday at 21:00, and they delivered. They went behind within a few minutes of the start of the game, but the outstanding Mbappé came to the fore to turn the scoreboard around and put the Whites in first place.
Villarreal struck first
The home team started with intensity and had several chances in the white area. First Ayoze had a go, then Asencio cleared and on the third approach Courtois had to intervene with a save from Ayoze. Another shot from the Canary Islander, from the edge of the area, well placed to the left but there appeared the Belgian. It was as good as it was going to get, it didn’t take long for Villarreal to open the scoring.
A corner that the Real Madrid defense failed to clear, with the ball hitting Tchouaméni’s back and falling at Foyth’s feet, who, from the six-yard box, shot as best he could to beat Courtois and make it 1-0 at La Cerámica. The Groguet team was not satisfied with the goal and was hungry for more. Buchanan tried his luck. The Canadian took a chance, unleashing a thunderbolt from the edge of the box that went narrowly wide of the crossbar.
Real Madrid respond: Mbappé double
Real Madrid tried to react to the goal and did so in the best possible way, quickly equalizing. A tremendous piece of play by Brahim, who slipped into the opposition box, but his lob attempt was well saved by Diego Conde. However, Mbappé was quick on the rebound, getting a shot off to seal the equalizer.
Villarreal reacted well to the equalizer with a chance for Gueye with a powerful shot from the Yellow Submarine’s midfielder from outside the box that Courtois had to save again with a good save. However, Real Madrid’s comeback didn’t end there and Mbappé soon made it two. Lucas Vázquez played a pass back as he approached the opposition box, Gueye failed to clear, allowing Mbappé to receive the ball and he put it away with a powerful, precise shot.
On the stroke of half-time, Rodrygo could have made it three with a shot from the edge of the box that Diego Conde managed to catch. The Madrid player was completely alone. In the reply, Courtois prevented the equalizer from a powerful shot by Pépé looking for the long post, but he came up against the new and providential stretch of the Belgian goalkeeper. The score remained the same at half-time, after an intense end to the first half.
Villarreal went out for the equalizer
Barry had the equalizer just after the start of the second half. Baena’s tremendous cross was met by the Villarreal French striker’s shot, but his header grazed the crossbar. Shortly after, it was Foyth who missed the equalizer. Baena took a corner, finding the Argentine in the heart of the area unmarked, but his volley went over the bar. Ayoze also tried, with a shot from the top of the area that came up against Courtois, who also had to intervene against a shot from Baena.
Ancelotti calms the game from the bench
Ancelotti made changes to his bench to deal with the situation. Vinicius, Rüdiger and Modric came on for Brahim, Asencio and Rodrygo. With the introduction of the Croat in particular, the coach was looking for more control, less pace, and he got it. Real Madrid were awarded a penalty in the 67th minute. Pedraza cut out a back pass from Valverde with his arm, but the Villarreal full-back had it flat on the ground. Gil Manzano saw nothing punishable. Shortly afterwards, the Whites again requested a penalty. Vinicius crossed and Kambwala touched it with his arm, but it was right next to his body.
Real Madrid did not close out the game and the groguet team did not give up. Ayoze controlled a ball with his back to goal, made room for himself to unleash a powerful right-footed shot that went very close to the crossbar. It was there for the 2-2. Real Madrid held on to the scoreboard and will sleep as leaders waiting for what happens tomorrow at the Metropolitano between Atlético de Madrid and Barça.