Mbappe double at Villarreal takes 'exhausted' Real Madrid top
Kylian Mbappe's brace helped Real Madrid climb top of La Liga with a 2-1 win at Villarreal on Saturday despite coach Carlo Ancelotti's complaints that his team was "exhausted".
Los Blancos moved three points clear of rivals Barcelona, having played two extra games, with the Catalans visiting third place Atletico Madrid on Sunday in a key clash in the Spanish title race.
Madrid were unhappy the game was taking place fewer than 72 hours after their Champions League win on penalties against Atletico on Wednesday.
"The team has something special, character, commitment," Ancelotti told reporters, insisting Madrid would refuse to play without "72 hours of rest" between matches as recommended by world football governing body FIFA.
However despite their complaints they had enough in the tank to beat their opponents, fifth, at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
"We kept going on a physical level, above all in the second half, the team ended up exhausted, but that was to be expected," said Ancelotti.
"It's a win that says a lot about this team and the ability this squad has."
Ancelotti began with Vinicius Junior on the bench after the draining victory against Atletico in the last 16.
Villarreal started strongly and Thibaut Courtois got down well to his right to tip Ayoze Perez's shot around the post.
From the resulting corner Villarreal took the lead, with the ball rebounding to Juan Foyth, who smashed home from close range.
Ancelotti's side hit back quickly, with Mbappe levelling after 17 minutes.
Brahim Diaz's attempted lob was saved by Diego Conde, but the French striker dispatched the rebound with minimal fuss.
Soon Mbappe had his second, helping to spread the ball to the right and then finishing with aplomb after Lucas Vazquez found him in the middle of the box.
It was Mbappe's 20th league goal of the season, putting him one behind the top scorer, Barcelona's Robert Lewandowski.
Content with their lead Madrid soaked up Villarreal pressure in the rest of the first half, with Courtois saving well from Nicolas Pepe.
Villarreal coach Marcelino Garcia Toral sent on Thierno Barry for Pepe at the break, as the Yellow Submarine looked to avoid a first home defeat in La Liga by Madrid since 2017.
Foyth might have levelled early in the second half but volleyed over the bar when well placed.
- 'A football fan' -
Ancelotti sent on Vinicius and Luka Modric to try and help Madrid put the game to bed and they regained some control from the enterprising hosts.
Conde saved from Fede Valverde and at the other end Perez came close with a sharp turn and powerful effort which flew just over Courtois' crossbar, which was as close as his side came to a leveller.
"The start wasn't the best but that's normal with little rest that it's hard on the legs, but then we came back quickly, we defended well, we were very tired but the commitment we showed was important," Courtois told Real Madrid TV.
Now Ancelotti and his side can sit back and watch the two teams below them duke it out at the Metropolitano stadium.
"For us it was important to win today, obviously I will watch it, because it will be a very entertaining game," said Ancelotti.
"Tomorrow I will be a football fan, and nothing more."
Earlier Mallorca beat Espanyol 2-1 with a late Vedat Muriqi penalty, with the target man making amends after scoring an own goal and missing another spot-kick.
Celta Vigo beat bottom of the table Valladolid 1-0, inflicting their 20th defeat of the season.
rbs/dj
Topics
-
WATCH: Real Madrid complete comeback as Kylian Mbappe scores again
Real Madrid made a dreadful start to their La Liga clash against Villarreal, but they have now managed to get themselves into a 2-1 lead at La Ceramica.Carlo Ancelotti’s side are off the back of a ...Yahoo Sports - 7h -
WATCH: Kylian Mbappe scores as Real Madrid find quickfire response against Villarreal
Real Madrid made a dreadful start to their La Liga clash against Villarreal, but they have now managed to drag themselves level in the opening stages at La CeramicaCarlo Ancelotti’s side are off ...Yahoo Sports - 7h -
“This is the last time” – Carlo Ancelotti threatens La Liga over Real Madrid rest issue
Real Madrid secured a very important victory on Saturday as they came from behind to defeat Villarreal 2-1 at La Ceramica. It is a result that sends them top of La Liga for the time being, although ...Yahoo Sports - 5h -
European football: Mbappé’s quickfire brace takes Real Madrid top of La Liga
Milan enjoy thrilling 2-1 comeback against Como Bayern held to a 1-1 draw away to Union Berlin Kylian Mbappé scored twice to help Real Madrid fight back to beat Villarreal 2-1 and move top ...The Guardian - 7h -
Mbappé scores twice to give Real Madrid 2-1 win against Villarreal in La Liga
Kylian Mbappé scored twice to lead Real Madrid to a 2-1 comeback win at Villarreal and move three points clear atop the Spanish league on Saturday. Mbappé scored in the 17th minute to cancel out ...Yahoo Sports - 5h -
‘Beating Real Madrid is very difficult, but…’ – Villarreal coach sounds warning
Villarreal manager Marcelino is fully aware of the challenge that awaits his team as they prepare to take on Real Madrid. The coach believes that for Villarreal to stand any chance of securing a ...Yahoo Sports - 17h -
Exhausted Real Madrid to hand 25-year-old a start vs Villarreal with teenage sensation also in plans
Real Madrid are set to face Villarreal in what is expected to be one of their toughest away fixtures in La Liga this season. With the game taking place just days after an intense and exhausting ...Yahoo Sports - 15h -
La Liga rejects claims from Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti
Real Madrid secured a very important victory over Villarreal on Saturday, but the club has been far from happy in the aftermath of this. Specifically, there has been a lot of unhappiness ...Yahoo Sports - 2h -
Kylian Mbappé hits two impressive goalscoring benchmarks with Real Madrid brace vs Villarreal
Real Madrid star Kylian Mbappé has on Saturday secured for himself an altogether impressive individual benchmark.This comes owing to developments in Real’s meeting with Villarreal.Carlo Ancelotti��...Yahoo Sports - 7h
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Clifford scores 24, Colorado State hits record 12 3s to beat Boise State 69-56 in MWC Championship
Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Hot spring continues for Arizona Diamondbacks starter; Josh Naylor goes deep
New Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher shoved again on the mound on March 15, 2025 in Scottsdale at Salt River Fields.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Nets player grades: Cam Johnson scores 23 in 115-113 loss to Celtics
Here are the Brooklyn Nets player grades following Saturday's 115-113 loss to the Boston Celtics.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Injuries impact Super Rugby; Reds ride a wave of form
The Super Rugby season is only five rounds old. Prior to the weekend’s fifth round, 67 players across the 11 teams were unavailable because of injuries. The injury toll is particularly high among ...Yahoo Sports - 19m -
Despite wild winds, this one-time Tour winner has climbed to top at Players Championship
With the wind whipping and swirling on Saturday and scores soaring at TPC Sawgrass, Pete Dye’s House of Horrors finally bared its teeth.Yahoo Sports - 21m
More in Sports
-
Women's Bracketology: UCSD seals first bid, Harvard's win keeps Ivy intrigue alive
After Harvard sealed its NCAA Tournament spot, the number of Ivy teams in the field remains the biggest Bracketology question.ESPN - 13m -
Clifford scores 24, Colorado State hits record 12 3s to beat Boise State 69-56 in MWC Championship
Yahoo Sports - 16m -
Hot spring continues for Arizona Diamondbacks starter; Josh Naylor goes deep
New Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher shoved again on the mound on March 15, 2025 in Scottsdale at Salt River Fields.Yahoo Sports - 17m -
Nets player grades: Cam Johnson scores 23 in 115-113 loss to Celtics
Here are the Brooklyn Nets player grades following Saturday's 115-113 loss to the Boston Celtics.Yahoo Sports - 18m -
Injuries impact Super Rugby; Reds ride a wave of form
The Super Rugby season is only five rounds old. Prior to the weekend’s fifth round, 67 players across the 11 teams were unavailable because of injuries. The injury toll is particularly high among ...Yahoo Sports - 19m