Real Madrid has temporarily overtaken FC Barcelona in the La Liga table and will remain at the top until at least Sunday. Mbappé was once again decisive in the top match in Villarreal—and cheeky to boot in the end.
On Saturday evening, Real’s improving form under Alvaro Arbeloa (three wins in a row) was put to the test. The top match against the fourth-placed team was coming up. However, the dress rehearsals could not have been more different: Villarreal had lost 2-1 to Ajax Amsterdam, while Real had outclassed AS Monaco 6-1 at home.
Somewhat surprisingly, Arbeloa put his faith in 18-year-old Mastantuono in his attacking trio – the Argentine made his eighth start of the season. In the first 45 minutes, however, hardly any of Real’s professionals were able to promote themselves. Villarreal created the first dangerous moment, but Buchanan’s attempt from a tight angle was blocked by Carreras (13′). Real’s only chance came from Arda Güler after some fine dribbling, but his powerful shot was saved by keeper Luiz Junior (20′). Just as the Royals thought they were heading into the break, the hosts had another chance to take the lead, but Africa Cup of Nations winner Pape Gueye blasted the ball just wide of the left post (45+1).
After the break, Real suddenly played with much more verve. It seemed as if Arbeloa had found the right words. Just two minutes after the restart, the favorites took the lead: Vinicius Junior broke through to the baseline, and Pape Gueye’s clearance fell unluckily at the feet of Mbappé – 1-0 (47′).
Villarreal had to shake it off briefly, but then had a huge chance to equalize after a free kick variation: Gerard, however, hammered the ball just over the crossbar from the penalty spot (62′). Subsequently, many substitutions somewhat inhibited the newly found flow of the game.
Mbappé wins penalty himself
It was only in the final quarter of an hour that the game picked up pace again: Mbappé had the chance to seal the win, but at the last moment the Frenchman was brought down by a strong tackle from Rafa Martin (82′). In stoppage time, however, it was the 2018 World Cup winner himself who cleverly won a penalty against Alfonso Pedraza and cheekily converted it with a Panenka (90+4).
Thanks to their lackluster but deserved victory in Villarreal, Real climbed to the top of the table with 51 points, at least temporarily, but Barcelona can reclaim the lead with a win on Sunday.
After that, both teams will focus their full attention on the Champions League group stage final: Villarreal, already eliminated, travel to Bayer 04 Leverkusen on Wednesday, while Real visit Benfica and former coach José Mourinho. Next Saturday (4:15 p.m.), the Yellow Submarine face Osasuna, and Real face Rayo Vallenco in a city derby the following day (2 p.m.).
