Mbappé decisive again as Real Madrid bank huge La Liga win
Real Madrid continue to pile on the pressure across a hotly-contested La Liga title race after securing a 2-1 comeback win against Villarreal.
Scorers: Foyth 8'; Mbappé 17', 23'
The Spanish giants were laborious throughout their 90-minute battle against El Submarino Amarillo, however, and would go down by a goal early on at a ground they historically struggle to turn up at.
Former Tottenham defender Juan Foyth gave Marcelino's men a dream start on the night in the eighth minute when he controlled Álex Baena's corner in the box before blasting his effort off Raúl Asencio and into the back of the net.
Real Madrid would dig deep to pull level nine minutes later though, through none other than Kylian Mbappé when he tucked home the rebound after Brahim Díaz's close-range effort found its way to the Frenchman.
Mbappé would go on to complete his brace in the 23rd minute with an expertly dispatched effort beyond Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Conde after he was left unmarked at the top of the area, with the former PSG talisman almost willing the Spanish giants to a critical result.
That strike added another goal across an ever-increasing brilliant first season in the Spanish capital, taking him ahead of former Real Madrid star Ronaldo's 30-goal mark in his debut season, with Mbappé now resting at 31 goals across all competitions and with plenty of football left to be played.
Despite the Frenchman's goal surge in the opening 45 minutes, Villarreal remained on the front foot throughout, limiting Real Madrid to just six shots before Carlo Ancelotti made three changes, including bringing on Vinícius Júnior and Luka Modrić for the final half-hour.
Villarreal pushed for a late equaliser in the final minutes of action in Castellón, looking very much like the side more capable of capping off the night with another crucial late goal.
That goal would not come, however, despite a minimum of three minutes of added time, with Real Madrid coming away with all three points while throwing down a gauntlet before their title rivals clash in the capital tomorrow night.
📸 Aitor Alcalde - 2025 Getty Images
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