Villarreal vs Real Madrid Review
Kylian Mbappé netted two goals in the first half, leading Real Madrid to a 2-1 win over Villarreal and ending the visitors’ eight-year drought for a league victory at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Real Madrid, fresh off their Champions League triumph against Atlético Madrid, faced an early setback when they conceded a goal in the 7th minute due to a mishandled corner kick. Juan Foyth capitalized on the opportunity, scoring from close range and marking Villarreal’s first goal within the first 15 minutes of a La Liga home match this season.
Foyth’s goal, his first since August 2023, energized Los Blancos, who quickly turned the game around with Mbappé’s two goals in just six minutes. The French striker equalized by slotting in a rebound and then scored again with a shot from Lucas Vázquez’s assist, bringing his total to 30 goals since joining Real last summer. With his team behind at halftime, Villarreal manager Marcelino decided to bring on forward Thierno Barry, who nearly made an instant impact with a powerful header that went just over Thibaut Courtois’s crossbar.
Villarreal continued to apply pressure on Real Madrid until Carlo Ancelotti made substitutions, bringing on Antonio Rüdiger and Vinícius Júnior shortly after the hour mark to disrupt the home team’s momentum. These changes helped Real regain some control, but their fragile lead still left Villarreal with a chance as the match entered the final 10 minutes. Ayoze Pérez missed a crucial opportunity to equalize, sending his right-foot shot into the stands behind Courtois’s goal.
The Spain international regretted that miss as Real managed to navigate the tense closing moments to take the top spot in La Liga, increasing the pressure on Atlético and Barcelona ahead of their Sunday clash. Meanwhile, Villarreal remains five points behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao after suffering their first home loss of 2025.
