Kylian Mbappe struck the goal and Real Madrid defeated Villarreal by 2 goals to 0 in the Estadio de la Ceramica on Saturday to make Real Madrid the leader of the Spanish league. Madrid is now two points ahead of arch-rivals Barcelona who face Real Oviedo on Sunday with this win.
The highest goal scorer in La Liga this season, Mbappe, had 21 league goals which added to his phenomenal performance that has seen him score 34 goals in all competitions. The impact of the French superstar could be seen when he turned a near goal after being crossed by Vinicius Junior into a goal in a mere two minutes of the second half. He subsequently mischievously converted a stoppage time penalty, after being hacked by Villarreal’s Alfonso Pedraza to keep the goal.
Now the Real Madrid have achieved three consecutive wins in all the competitions which is a good indication of a great turn-around with the help of coach Alvaro Arbeloa. The ex-defender took the place of Xabi Alonso only 10 days ago after a humiliating loss in the Copa del Rey to second-tier Albacete. Arbeloa complimented the work of Mbappe and Vinicius Junior saying they are a nightmare to defenders and how they are devoted to the club.
Madrid was just too defensive and precise in its attacks, with opportunities provided to Pape Gueye and Gerard Moreno, though Villarreal did his best. Vinicius, who has had a 13-match goal dry spell in La Liga, contributed to the creation of space and the assist to the opener of Mbappe.
The win enhances the status of Madrid at the top as Villarreal who are still on the 4th place is now 10 points behind having played one match less. The men of Arbeloa will hope to carry on the momentum in the next matches, in which they will be banking on the deadly Mbappe and Vinicius to keep the blistering performance they are on.
