Valverde, Vinicius fire Real Madrid to win against high-flying Villarreal

Vinicius Junior scored a sublime long-range effort as Real Madrid got back to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening.

A deflected strike from distance by Federico Valverde tucked into the bottom corner to give Real Madrid a first-half lead, and Los Blancos should have added to their lead in an opening hour in which Vinicius and the returning Kylian Mbappe caused Villarreal all sorts of problems.

The side placed third in the table pushed hard for an equaliser and thought they had a penalty when Aurelien Tchouameni brought down Thierno Barry in the box, only for a marginal offside decision to override the foul.

And the chance of an upset evaporated when Vinicius picked up the ball in a central position, turned, and unleashed a thunderbolt into the top corner to get the whole of the Bernabeu on their feet in appreciation.

The only sour note on an otherwise excellent night for Real Madrid came right at the end of stoppage time, when Dani Carvajal was stretchered from the field in tears after picking up what looked like a serious injury when he mistimed a clearing kick in a challenge with Yeremi Pino out on the touchline.

The win sees Carlo Ancelotti’s side stay second, level on points with Barcelona, who play Alaves on Sunday.

Real Madrid’s winless week had prompted questions over concern in the pre-match press conference, with manager Carlo Ancelotti admitting to a lack of intensity.

But there was no such issue against Villarreal, as Los Blancos played with the sort of speed and intensity that is hard for any opponent to match.

Needing a win to get momentum back into the campaign, Ancelotti named his most solid midfield, with Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga in the middle along with Valverde, and that trio ensured that the game felt under control even during the periods in which Villarreal dominated possession.

When you have the threats of Vinicius and Mbappe on the counter-attack, sitting back a little is no issue whatsoever.

The home fans were buzzing to see the name Kylian Mbappe on the team sheet after his recent injury layoff, but it was Real Madrid’s other explosive forward player who stole the show on the night with a goal of the highest quality.

Vinicius was all on his own when he picked up the ball in the Villarreal half, but his shot from range gave the keeper absolutely no chance as it rocketed into the top corner.

It wasn’t the only bit of quality from Vinicius on the night, with the Brazilian tormenting Villarreal down the flanks with his pace and trickery.

Real Madrid: Lunin 7, Mendy 8, Rüdiger 7, Carvajal 8, Tchouameni 7, Modric 9, Camavinga 8, Valverde 9, Bellingham 7, Mbappe 8, Vinicus 9. Subs: Militao 7, Rodrygo 6, Guler 6, Vazquez 6

Villarreal: Conde 7, Kiko 5, Costa 7, Albiol 6, Cardona 7, Gueye 7, Comesana 7, Parejo 6, Baena 6, Barry 7, Pepe 6. Subs: Pino 6, Akhomach 6, Bailly 6, Terrats 6, Bernat 6

14’ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0 VILLARREAL (VALVERDE)

Oh my word, what a goal that is! Valverde lines one up from range, and his shot takes a slight deflection en-route to picking out the bottom corner. That’s an absolute belter and his celebration was pretty special as well, with the midfield punching the air with both fists. Pure class. 1-0.

73’ – GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-0 VILLARREAL (VINICIUS JR)

What a strike that is! Vinicius Junior picks up the ball in a central area and slams an outrageous shot into the top corner. That’s absolutely incredible. 2-0.

90’ – INJURY TO CARVAJAL

This does not look good at all. Both players are down after a challenge out by the touchline and Carvajal is screaming in pain. His teammates look very concerned. Replays show that Villarreal’s Pino had actually nicked the ball away from Carvajal, who caught him when attempting what had been a volleyed clearance, so the Villarreal man is not to blame there at all. But that’s of little consequence, as this looks like a very serious injury, potentially to the full-back’s knee at first look. The stretcher is on, Carvajal is in tears, and that is a sad way to end what has been an excellent football match.