Real Madrid’s win away at Villarreal feels like a very strong statement. Beating the team sitting third in the standings while reclaiming first place in La Liga is no small feat. But the performance itself leaves something to be desired.
Vini Mbappé : big partnership
For 20 minutes, Villarreal managed to keep Real at arm’s length. Lacking clear ideas beyond Vinícius’ bursts of acceleration, Real were threatened on the counter, but neither Buchanan nor Mikautadze were able to take advantage of Madrid’s defensive lapses. If Real improved toward the end of the first half, it was thanks to a lively Vinícius, particularly involved and willing to combine with his teammates. Never one to hide when things get difficult, Vinícius showed over those 45 minutes why he deserves to be central to this collective.
But while Vinícius deserves recognition, Real’s true hero was Kylian Mbappé. Vinícius did a tremendous job down the left, delivered a cross, and although it was deflected, the ball fell to Mbappé. Vinícius created the chance the way Güler used to, but as usual, it was the Frenchman’s finishing that made the difference. The duo struck again for the second goal: on a counterattack, Vinícius switched play to Mbappé, who was brought down.
The Frenchman converted for his 21st goal of the season — a Panenka that echoed the one disastrously missed by Brahim Díaz. The Moroccan, who came on in the 80th minute, was able to take notes on how to execute a Panenka — and above all, when to do it.
Still somewhat fragile and heavily dependent on the Vinícius–Mbappé duo, Real Madrid find reassurance in the standings rather than in their overall play.