La Liga 2024-25: Mbappe bags double as Real Madrid beats Villarreal to go top
La Liga 2024-25: Mbappe bags double as Real Madrid beats Villarreal to go top
Kylian Mbappe scored twice to help Real Madrid fight back to beat Villarreal 2-1 on Saturday and move provisionally top of the La Liga standings.
The host opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Alex Baena’s corner was deflected by Aurelien Tchouameni, allowing Juan Foyth to score from close range.
Real Madrid levelled 10 minutes later when Mbappe pounced on Brahim Diaz’s blocked shot and the ball landed at his feet for a close-range finish.
Six minutes later, the French international scored his 20th league goal of the season, latching on to Lucas Vazquez’s through ball and slotting home.
Mbappe had a chance to complete his hat-trick in the second half when he latched onto Vinicius Jr’s through ball, but the offside flag was raised.
“It’s the last time we’ll play a game with less than 72 hours’ rest,” said coach Carlo Ancelotti, referring to Wednesday’s gruelling
Champions League shootout win over city rival Atletico Madrid.
Real tops the table with 60 points, three clear of second-placed Barcelona, which has a game in hand after their match with Osasuna was postponed last week and faces third-placed Atletico on Sunday.
