LaLiga: Real Madrid Edges Past Villarreal 3-1

Real Madrid Returns to LaLiga Summit with Thrilling 3-1 Win Over Villarreal

Real Madrid edges past Villarreal 3-1, reclaiming the top spot in LaLiga.
Real Madrid's win over Villarreal, featuring Vinicius Junior's brace and Kylian Mbappe's decisive goal.

Marcelino's team found themselves under considerable pressure as Real Madrid dominated possession and...

Real Madrid's impressive home winning streak continued as they defeated Villarreal 3-1, reclaiming the top spot in LaLiga. Vinicius Junior's brace, including a beautifully deflected shot and a penalty, paved the way for the victory. Kylian Mbappe sealed the win with a clinical finish in the 81st minute.

After a disappointing derby loss to Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid returned to the Santiago Bernabeu, where they have been dominant in recent months. The team showed resilience and determination, withstanding Villarreal's pressure and capitalizing on key moments. Thibaut Courtois made crucial saves, including a stunning stop from Tani Oluwaseyi, while Vinicius and Mbappe showcased their attacking prowess.

Villarreal's challenge was weakened when defender Santiago Mourino received a second yellow card for a foul on Vinicius, reducing his team to 10 men. Despite Georges Mikautadze's impressive strike, the Yellow Submarine couldn't sustain their fight. The win extends Real Madrid's unbeaten run in the fixture to five games, solidifying their position at the top of the table with 21 points, two points clear of Barcelona.

Real Madrid looked to make an early impact, with Arda Guler having a promising opportunity. He attempted an angled strike following a neat one-two with Kylian Mbappe, but his effort flew over the bar. The Madrid side continued to press, creating further chances for Aurelien Tchouameni and Franco Mastantuono as they sought to gain an advantage.

Marcelino's team found themselves under considerable pressure as Real Madrid dominated possession and created scoring opportunities. Despite the intense pressure, they managed to hold firm, but the threat from the Real Madrid attack remained palpable.

The match was heating up as Villarreal's Tani Oluwaseyi threatened to land a surprise blow, but Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was equal to the task. He quickly reacted to thwart Oluwaseyi's promising effort, keeping his team's clean sheet intact.

FT: #RealMadridVillarreal 3-1

📈 Real Madrid return to the top of the #LALIGAEASPORTS table pic.twitter.com/fCVqGMHFGY

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) October 4, 2025

Real Madrid's Franco Mastantuono showed flashes of brilliance, attempting to take matters into his own hands with a scuffed shot that flew inches wide of the post. The match was simmering nicely as the teams headed into halftime, with neither side able to find the breakthrough.

The deadlock was broken just two minutes into the second half when Vinicius Junior made a trademark run from the left flank. His shot took a big deflection off Santi Comesana and flew past Arnau Tenas at the near post, giving Real Madrid a well-deserved 1-0 lead.

Real Madrid doubled their advantage when Vinicius was fouled in the box, earning a penalty. He confidently converted the spot kick, slotting it past goalkeeper Tenas to score his fourth goal in as many league meetings against Villarreal. This goal seemed to spark the hosts into life, with Jude Bellingham having two promising chances in quick succession, only to be denied by Tenas' impressive saves.

Just as Real Madrid appeared to be cruising towards a comfortable victory, Georges Mikautadze struck a superb goal, halving the deficit for Villarreal. His driven shot flew past Courtois, leaving the scoreline at 2-1 and injecting fresh life into the visitors' chances. The match was suddenly in the balance, with Real Madrid forced to respond to the sudden change in momentum.

Villarreal's comeback hopes suffered a significant setback when Santiago Mourino received a second yellow card for pushing Vinicius aside, reducing his team to 10 men. This crucial moment shifted the momentum firmly in Real Madrid's favor.

Kylian Mbappe sealed the victory for Real Madrid in the 81st minute, scoring the third goal after some excellent build-up play with Brahim Diaz. This decisive goal put the contest out of Villarreal's reach, cementing Real Madrid's position at the top of the table.

Kylian Mbappe's 14th goal in just 10 appearances across all competitions had a significant impact on the match, seemingly deflating Villarreal's spirits and allowing Real Madrid to cruise to a comfortable victory. This impressive goal showcased Mbappe's exceptional skill and form, leaving the opposition struggling to cope.

The win marked an extension of Real Madrid's unbeaten run in the fixture to five games, with a record of four wins and one draw. Conversely, Villarreal's three-match winning streak in the league came to an abrupt end, highlighting the difference in form between the two teams. Real Madrid's dominance was evident, and their consistency has solidified their position at the top of the table.