Real Madrid ascended to the top of the La Liga standings following a professional 2-0 victory against Villarreal at the Estadio de la Cerámica on Saturday.
While the first half was a cagey affair marked by a lack of clinical edge, the visitors struck quickly after the interval when Kylian Mbappé capitalized on a blocked Vinícius Júnior cross to slot home the opener.
Despite a scare when Gerard Moreno missed an unmarked opportunity to equalize, Los Blancos remained resilient, eventually sealing the three points in stoppage time.
Mbappé, who reached a historic 415 career goals to move past legend Ronaldo Nazário earlier in the match, stepped up to convert a Panenka from the penalty spot after being brought down by Alfonso Pedraza.
The win moves Álvaro Arbeloa’s side one point clear of Barcelona, who face Real Oviedo on Sunday.
Player Ratings
Thibaut Courtois (6/10):
The Belgian goalkeeper enjoyed an exceptionally quiet evening, as he was rarely tested by the home side. Aside from gathering a few routine crosses, he had very little to do to earn his clean sheet.
Federico Valverde (7/10):
Filling in at right-back once again, the versatile midfielder remained professional despite his preference for more central roles. He was tidy in possession and effectively neutralized Villarreal’s wide threats.
Raul Asencio (6/10):
Despite carrying a lingering injury, the young defender provided a stable presence at the back. It was a much-needed composed performance following several erratic weeks for the academy graduate.
Dean Huijsen (7/10):
The center-back was dominant in the air and handled Villarreal’s long-ball approach with ease. He looked comfortable on the ball and even tested the keeper with a late strike after a surging run.
Alvaro Carreras (7/10):
A proactive performance from the left-back, who balanced his defensive duties with frequent overlapping runs. He made several vital interventions to stop Villarreal from developing play on his flank.
Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):
It was a game of two halves for the Frenchman, who struggled to find his rhythm in a disorganized first period. He significantly improved after the break, providing the ball progression and tackling required to control the midfield.
Arda Güler (7/10):
Operating in the pockets of space around the box, the Turkish playmaker was Madrid’s most creative outlet. He nearly opened the scoring in the first half after a brilliant solo run and remained a threat from set pieces.
Jude Bellingham (8/10):
The Englishman put in a shift defensively, winning back possession on several occasions, but he was unusually sloppy with his passing. It was a gritty, if slightly frustrated, performance from the star midfielder.
Franco Mastantuono (7/10):
The youngster displayed a high defensive work rate that assisted his teammates in maintaining their shape. He was elusive on the wing, constantly twisting away from defenders to keep the pressure on the hosts.
Kylian Mbappé (8/10):
The man of the match proved clinical when it mattered most. After a quiet opening 45 minutes, he reacted first to a rebound to score the opener and calmly dispatched a late penalty to secure his brace and a career milestone.
Vinícius Júnior (7/10):
The Brazilian was a constant nuisance for the Villarreal defense, drawing numerous fouls throughout the match. His skillful run and cross were instrumental in creating the scramble that led to the first goal.