Real Madrid pegged back in eight-goal thriller with Villarreal

Alexander Sorloth produced a remarkable second-half hat-trick as Villarreal came from three goals down to draw 4-4 with Real Madrid in a La Liga thriller.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side looked to be in for another comfortable afternoon as a brace from Arda Guler and goals from Joselu and Lucas Vazquez saw them take a 4-1 lead at the break.

Sorloth’s goal at 2-0 down appeared to be nothing more than a consolation going into the second period but the Norwegian’s quick-fire hat-trick in the space of eight minutes brought the hosts level.

The 28-year-old’s four goals saw him take the lead in the race for the Pichichi but having failed to claim all three points, Villarreal can no longer qualify for European football next season.

As for Los Blancos, Ancelotti won’t be too concerned by the result having wrapped up the league title and playing a significantly weakened line-up ahead of their UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.

Arda Guler opened the scoring for the visitors with a clinical finish after some well-worked build-up play before Joselu doubled their lead with an excellent header and his tenth league goal of the campaign.

Sorloth’s equally impressive headed effort was almost instantly cancelled out by Vazquez’s tidy finish before Guler looked to put the game to bed with his second and Madrid’s fourth of the contest.

Marcelino made three changes at half-time but it was captain Gerard Moreno, who was in the starting eleven after returning from injury, who set up the three second-half strikes.

The first with an excellent cross to find the head of Sorloth once again, before some intricate and accurate passing created the next two which the Norwegian finished smartly on his left foot.

Villarreal looked the more likely to find a winner with Sorloth going closest as they pushed for all three points but the result sees them remain in eighth, four points adrift of Real Betis in the final European spot with just one game to play.

Real Madrid remain 12 points clear at the top of the table having been crowned champions at the start of the month but their wait for a victory away to Villarreal in La Liga extends to seven games.

Carlo Ancelotti was perhaps pleased that his team were tested following a run of nine wins and four clean sheets in La Liga as they prepare for their showdown at Wembley.

The collapse of his side at the start of the second would have likely answered some question surrounding selection as they look for their 15th Champions League title.

Eder Militao had a torrid time in central defence up against the in-form Sorloth and was substituted soon after the striker’s fourth goal of the evening.

The Brazilian was dominated in all areas and with a question in recent weeks over who will partner Antonio Rudiger, this may have been solved today.

The Italian manager seems to have his mind made up on how Los Blancos will line up in attack against Dortmund, but Arda Guler’s fourth goal in three games will have put him in contention to be the man to turn to if the side need a goal or a spark of energy.

A mention must be made for Guler who had a special first-half but Sorloth produced a perfect centre forward performance and to score four goals to comeback against a Madrid side that had conceded just 22 goals all season is a magnificent achievement.

Villarreal: Jorgensen 6, Bailly 5, Mosquera 6, Cuenca 5, A. Moreno 7, Akhomach, 5, Parejo 6, Comesana 6, G. Moreno 8, Guedes 7, Sorloth 10. Subs: Albiol 6, Coquelin 7, Traore 7, Capoue 6, Terrats 5.

Real Madrid: Lunin 6, Vazquez 8, Militao 4, Rudiger 5, Garcia 6, Valverde 6, Ceballos 6, Modric 7, Guler 9, Joselu 7, Diaz 7. Subs: Camavinga 7, Nacho 6, Rodrygo 6, Martin 6.

15′ – GOAL! VILLARREAL 0-1 REAL MADRID (Arda Guler): Diaz finds Turkish youngster Guler who takes a good first touch on to his left foot and produces a tidy finish to the bottom right corner.

39′ – GOAL! VILLARREAL 1-2 REAL MADRID (Alexander Sorloth): Mosquera dispossesses Ceballos and plays an exquisite ball with the outside of his boot into Sorloth who directs a wonderful header into the bottom left corner.

48′ – GOAL! VILLARREAL 2-4 REAL MADRID (Alexander Sorloth): Gerard Moreno plays a wonderful in-swinging cross from the right hand side and Sorloth produces an almost identical header as he did for the first goal to beat Lunin in the bottom left corner.

52′ – GOAL! VILLARREAL 3-4 REAL MADRID (Alexander Sorloth): Gerard Moreno slips in Sorloth who looks to strike early and gets fortunate as Militao’s block falls back in his path but he keeps his composure excellently to curl the ball with his left foot past Lunin.

56′ – GOAL! VILLARREAL 4-4 REAL MADRID (Alexander Sorloth): Moreno combines with Guedes before finding Sorloth once again with the outside of his boot. The Norwegian striker opens his body and slots home with his left foot into the bottom right corner.