LaLiga: Real Madrid Leapfrog Rivals to Top LaLiga Table with Villarreal Victory

Kylian Mbappe scored twice in the first half as Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Villarreal, moving to the top of the LaLiga table and piling pressure on title rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona.

Kylian Mbappe's first-half double propelled Real Madrid to a crucial 2-1 victory over Villarreal, reigniting their LaLiga title aspirations. The win marked a significant milestone for Real Madrid, as it ended Villarreal's eight-year wait for a triumph at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

Real Madrid's momentum from their midweek UEFA Champions League win over Atletico Madrid was short-lived, as they found themselves trailing Villarreal just seven minutes into the match. The visitors' corner kick exposed Real Madrid's defensive vulnerabilities, allowing Juan Foyth to score his first goal since August 2023 and stun the home crowd. However, Foyth's strike served as a wake-up call for Los Blancos, who promptly turned the match in their favor.

Mbappe's six-minute brace proved instrumental in Real Madrid's comeback. The French forward equalized by drilling home a rebound, and then scored his second goal by firing a shot beyond Diego Conde's reach, courtesy of Lucas Vazquez's precise cut-back. This strike marked Mbappe's 30th goal since joining Real Madrid last summer, underscoring his significance to the team's title push.

Trailing at halftime, Villarreal manager Marcelino made a tactical switch, introducing forward Thierno Barry into the fray. Barry nearly made an instant impact, powering a header just over Thibaut Courtois's crossbar, as Villarreal continued to press for an equalizer.

As the match wore on, Villarreal's pressure began to intensify, prompting Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti to make a double substitution just past the hour mark. The introduction of Antonio Rudiger and Vinicius Junior helped Real Madrid regain a measure of control, although their slender lead remained precarious, offering Villarreal a glimmer of hope as the contest entered its final stages.

FT: #VillarrealRealMadrid 1-2

🇫🇷🪄 Mbappé’s brace sees @realmadriden go top of #LALIGAEASPORTS pic.twitter.com/0nZ4CQvmUD

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) March 15, 2025

The tension was palpable as the match drew to a close, with Villarreal's Ayoze Perez squandering a golden opportunity to level the score. Perez's wayward shot sailed into the stands behind Courtois's goal, a miss that would ultimately prove costly. Real Madrid navigated the nervy final minutes to claim a vital 2-1 victory, propelling them to the top of the LaLiga standings and ramping up the pressure on title rivals Atletico Madrid and Barcelona ahead of their showdown on Sunday.

The defeat marked Villarreal's first home loss of 2025, leaving them five points adrift of fourth-placed Athletic Club. Despite a spirited performance, El Submarino Amarillo were unable to capitalize on their scoring chances, ultimately succumbing to a narrow defeat that deals a significant blow to their top-four aspirations.