Real Madrid reclaimed the top spot in La Liga with a 3-1 victory over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabéu on Saturday, October 4, 2025. Vinicius Junior led the charge with a brace, while Kylian Mbappé added another goal to seal the win. However, Mbappé's late-game injury cast a shadow over the victory.
The first half proved frustrating for Real Madrid, who struggled to break down Villarreal's defense. Villarreal nearly took the lead when Tani Oluwaseyi went one-on-one with Thibaut Courtois, but the Real Madrid goalkeeper made a crucial save to keep the score level. Real Madrid had their own opportunities, with Franco Mastantuono and Aurélien Tchouaméni coming close.
Real Madrid found their breakthrough early in the second half. In the 47th minute, Vinicius Junior received the ball on the left wing and his shot deflected off Villarreal's Santi Comesaña, wrong-footing goalkeeper Arnau Tenas. Vinicius Junior continued to be a menace, winning a penalty in the 69th minute after being fouled by Rafa Marín. The Brazilian took the penalty himself, squeezing his shot past Tenas to double Real Madrid's lead.
Villarreal responded quickly, with Georges Mikautadze scoring from the edge of the box in the 73rd minute. However, their hopes of a comeback were dashed when Santiago Mouriño received a second yellow card for a flailing arm into the face of Vinicius Junior. With Villarreal down to 10 men, Real Madrid capitalized. In the 81st minute, Mbappé finished off a slick one-two with Brahim Diaz, slotting the ball into an empty net.
Shortly after scoring, Mbappé went down in noticeable pain, clutching his right ankle. He was attended to by medical staff and walked off the pitch unassisted, heading straight down the tunnel. Initial reports suggest a mild sprain in his right ankle. Manager Xabi Alonso acknowledged Mbappé's discomfort and stated the club would monitor his condition. The extent of the injury remains uncertain, casting doubt on his availability for France's upcoming World Cup Qualifiers.
Despite the injury concern, Mbappé continues his impressive form, having now scored in nine consecutive matches for club and country, totaling 14 goals across all competitions this season. Vinicius Junior's performance was also noteworthy, earning him high praise and comparisons to his pre-2024 Ballon d'Or form.
Real Madrid's victory propels them to the top of the La Liga standings with 21 points. The chemistry between Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior continues to flourish, establishing them as one of Europe's most dangerous attacking partnerships. Real Madrid will travel to face Getafe next week, while Villarreal will aim to bounce back against Betis.
