Kylian Mbappe scored twice as Real Madrid came from behind to record a 2-1 victory over Villarreal in Saturday evening's key La Liga contest at Estadio de la Ceramica.
Villarreal made the perfect start to the contest, taking the lead in the seventh minute when Juan Foyth turned a corner into the back of the net from close range, but the response from the reigning champions was terrific.
Mbappe scored twice in the space of six minutes to turn the game around, and the France international's brace proved to be enough for Carlo Ancelotti's side to claim a vital three points in the title race.
The victory has moved Los Blancos to the top of the La Liga table, three points clear of second-placed Barcelona, who now have two games in hand, while Villarreal stay fifth, five points behind fourth-placed Athletic Bilbao.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
This was a big, big win for Real Madrid against a Villarreal side that have top-four ambitions this season.
As has often been the case this term, Ancelotti's side were not at their best, but they found a way to get the job done, with Mbappe coming up trumps when his team needed him to produce a big performance.
Villarreal had only lost twice at home in the league this season ahead of this match, and the defeat is certainly a setback in terms of their hopes of claiming Champions League football for the 2025-26 campaign.
Real Madrid managed to navigate their way past Atletico Madrid in the last-16 stage of the Champions League last week without being at their best, and that was again the case on Saturday, with the capital giants rising to the top of the division.
Barcelona would be back at the summit if they beat third-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday night, but at least one of Real Madrid's title challengers will drop points at Wanda Metropolitano, so this could end up being a decisive weekend in the title race.
VILLARREAL VS. REAL MADRID HIGHLIGHTS
Juan Foyth goal vs. Real Madrid (7th min, Villarreal 1-0 Real Madrid)
Villarreal take the lead in the seventh minute of the contest, as Foyth turns a corner home from close range, with Real Madrid failing to deal with the delivery into the penalty box - not sure about the defending from the champions there.
17th min: Villarreal 1-1 Real Madrid (Kylian Mbappe)
Real Madrid level the scores in the 17th minute of the contest, as Mbappe fires into the back of the net from inside the box after Brahim Diaz had seen his effort kept out by Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Conde.
Kylian Mbappe goal vs. Villarreal (23rd min, Villarreal 1-2 Real Madrid)
Real Madrid have turned this match around, and it is a second of the evening for Mbappe, who collects a cross from Lucas Vazquez before firing the ball into the back of the net - it is an excellent strike from the France international.
MAN OF THE MATCH - KYLIAN MBAPPE
There has been criticism of Mbappe this season, and some of it has been fair, but the France international is now on 31 goals for Real Madrid, with the attacker coming up with a brace against Villarreal on Saturday night.
The Yellow Submarine found it incredibly difficult to deal with the ex-Paris Saint-Germain forward when he was in full flow, and the 26-year-old also finished with a pass success rate of 90%, showing his quality in possession.
VILLARREAL VS. REAL MADRID MATCH STATS
Possession: Villarreal 46%-54% Real Madrid
Shots: Villarreal 23-9 Real Madrid
Shots on target: Villarreal 10-5 Real Madrid
Corners: Villarreal 11-4 Real Madrid
Fouls: Villarreal 17-3 Real Madrid
BEST STATS
WHAT NEXT?
Real Madrid will not be back in action until March 29, when they welcome Leganes to Bernabeu in La Liga, before the small matter of the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final against Real Sociedad on April 1.
Villarreal, meanwhile, will be bidding to get their top-four challenge back on track when they head to Getafe on March 30, before welcoming fourth-placed Athletic in a huge fixture on April 6.
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