Mbappe Brace Sends ‘Exhausted’ Real Madrid Top Of La Liga.
Kylian Mbappe’s double secured a 2-1 victory for Real Madrid against Villarreal on Saturday, lifting Los Blancos to the top of La Liga despite concerns over fatigue following their gruelling Champions League encounter midweek.
Madrid now sit three points ahead of Barcelona, though they have played two games more. The Catalan side will face Atletico Madrid on Sunday in a crucial match that could shape the title race.
Madrid Overcome Fatigue to Secure Vital Win
Real Madrid had expressed frustration over the scheduling of the match, which came less than 72 hours after their intense Champions League penalty shootout win against Atletico Madrid. Manager Carlo Ancelotti voiced his concerns about player welfare, stating, “The team has something special—character, commitment. But we won’t accept playing without the 72-hour rest recommended by FIFA.”
Despite their exhaustion, Madrid had enough energy to claim victory at the Estadio de la Ceramica against a determined Villarreal side. Ancelotti acknowledged the physical toll, saying, “We kept going, especially in the second half. The team ended up exhausted, but that was to be expected. It’s a win that speaks volumes about our squad’s ability.”
Mbappe Leads Madrid’s Comeback
Villarreal started brightly, forcing a fine save from Thibaut Courtois early on. The hosts took the lead when Juan Foyth capitalised on a rebound from a corner, firing home from close range.
However, Madrid responded swiftly. Just minutes later, Brahim Diaz’s lob attempt was saved by Villarreal’s Diego Conde, but Mbappe was on hand to convert the rebound. The French forward struck again soon after, finishing confidently after a precise cross from Lucas Vazquez.
The brace took Mbappe’s tally to 20 league goals this season, placing him just one behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in the race for La Liga’s Golden Boot.
Resolute Madrid Hold On
Villarreal, determined to avoid their first home defeat against Madrid since 2017, pushed forward after the break. Substitute Thierno Barry replaced Nicolas Pepe, and Foyth came close to equalising but volleyed over the bar.
Ancelotti introduced Vinicius Junior and Luka Modric to regain control, and Madrid absorbed Villarreal’s pressure effectively. Courtois made key saves, including denying a powerful effort from Ayoze Perez, as Madrid held firm to secure the win.
After the match, Courtois admitted the players felt the effects of their heavy schedule. “It was tough on the legs, but we defended well. The commitment we showed was important,” he told Real Madrid TV.
With the hard-fought victory in the bag, Ancelotti is looking forward to watching Sunday’s showdown between Barcelona and Atletico. “For us, it was important to win today. Tomorrow, I will just be a football fan and enjoy the match,” he said.
Elsewhere in La Liga
Earlier in the day, Mallorca edged past Espanyol 2-1 with a late Vedat Muriqi penalty. The striker made amends after scoring an own goal and missing an earlier spot-kick. Meanwhile, Celta Vigo inflicted a 20th defeat of the season on Valladolid with a narrow 1-0 win.
Real Madrid will now turn their focus to maintaining their lead in La Liga as the title race intensifies.
