Real Madrid players celebrate after scoring a goal against Villarreal in a La Liga match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, October 4, 2025. /VCG
Real Madrid players celebrate after scoring a goal against Villarreal in a La Liga match at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium in Madrid, October 4, 2025. /VCG
Vinicius Junior struck twice, and Kylian Mbappe found the net before leaving the pitch injured, as Real Madrid beat third-placed Villarreal 3-1 at home to move on top of La Liga on Saturday.
Moments after scoring in the 81st minute, Mbappe sat down and clutched his right ankle. The French star then made a gesture with his hands to signal that he could not continue. Following brief medical treatment, he walked off unassisted and went straight down the tunnel.
The win moved Real two points above defending champions Barcelona, who can reclaim the lead with a win at Sevilla on Sunday, but are missing star winger Lamine Yamal due to a reaggravated groin injury.
Vinicius found the net in the 47th when he cut in from the left, his low strike clipping the heel of Santi Comesana before wrong-footing goalkeeper Arnau Tenas.
The Brazilian scored from the penalty spot in the 69th after being barged over. Mbappe, who is Madrid's usual penalty taker, let the South American do the honors. Vinicius squeezed a tame shot under the body of Tenas as he guessed correctly.
Villarreal winger Georges Mikautadze pulled a goal back with a fine shot past Thibaut Courtois from 20 meters out.
Nonetheless, the hard work was undone when defender Santiago Mourino was sent off four minutes later for a second yellow card, following a foul on Vinicius.
Villarreal then lost the ball carelessly and Mbappe swapped passes with Brahim Diaz before notching his 14th goal in 10 appearances this season.
Source(s): AP