Vinicius Scores Twice as Real Madrid Beat Villarreal 3-1 to Go Top of La Liga

Vinicius Junior struck twice as Real Madrid defeated Villarreal 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, lifting Los Blancos two points clear at the top of La Liga. Kylian Mbappe sealed the victory with a late strike, becoming the league’s top scorer.

Madrid, coming off a 5-2 derby defeat to Atletico and a long Champions League trip to Kazakhstan, responded strongly against third-placed Villarreal.

Vinicius opened the scoring early in the second half with a deflected effort off Santi Comesana, before doubling the lead from the penalty spot after being fouled by Rafa Marin. Villarreal’s Georges Mikautadze briefly cut the deficit with a sharp finish from the edge of the box, but the hosts quickly restored control.

Santiago Mourino’s red card for a foul on Vinicius left Villarreal shorthanded, and Brahim Diaz teed up Mbappe for Madrid’s third — his ninth league goal of the season.

Despite late chances for Jude Bellingham, who was denied twice by goalkeeper Arnau Tenas, Madrid comfortably closed out the match.

“It’s a shame about the first goal which hit me, and then came the penalty… if it’s already hard to win at the Bernabeu, with these things it’s even harder,” Villarreal’s Comesana told DAZN.

Vinicius, reflecting on his performance, said: “I played very well and I want to continue like this, keeping this confidence and doing even more.”