Real Madrid reach the top of LaLiga with 2-0 victory over Villarreal in Matchday 21: Highlights and goals

Real Madrid earned a hard-fought 2-0 win at the Estadio de la Cerámica against a third-place Villarreal side. With this victory, Los Blancos have overtaken Barcelona by a single point to become the provisional leaders of LaLiga.

The matchup featured the two most disciplined defenses in the league, a fact reflected in a tightly contested first half. Neither side was able to break the deadlock during the opening 45 minutes, with the teams heading into the locker rooms with the score level at 0-0.

Real Madrid struck immediately after the restart to take the lead. Kylian Mbappe scored the opening goal of the match in the 46th minute, clinical in his finish to give the visitors the advantage. Despite holding the lead, the visitors continued to press forward and would eventually double their advantage late in the match.

In the closing stages, Villarreal‘s Alfonso Pedraza committed a decisive foul in the area, resulting in a penalty for the visitors. Mbappe stepped up to convert from the spot, marking his second goal of the game and his 21st of the season. With the final whistle, Real Madrid successfully claimed the top spot in LaLiga, securing a vital three points at the Estadio de la Cerámica.

Gianni Taina is a bilingual journalist, fluent in English and Spanish, with a specialization in soccer, the NBA, and tennis. He began his professional career in 2020 with Mundo Deportivo US, where he first established himself as a writer. Throughout his career, Gianni has covered major sports events such as the FIFA World Cup in Qatar, the NBA Finals, and Grand Slam tournaments like the French Open. His ability to report on real-time events and perform well under pressure has made him a valuable member of a top-tier team of journalists. In 2024, he joined Bolavip US, where he now covers a wide range of sports, including European soccer, MLS, and the NBA.