Villarreal’s Nigerian midfielder Samuel Chukwueze (left) celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the La Liga match between Real Madrid and Villarreal. Photo: AFP.
Real Madrid suffered a 3‑2 defeat at the hands of Villarreal in a thrilling La Liga clash ahead of their Champions League showdown with Chelsea next week. The champions remain 12 points behind leaders Barcelona, who face Girona on Monday. Villarreal winger Samuel Chukwueze delivered a sensational individual display, scoring twice.
Pau Torres’s own goal gave Madrid an early lead, but Chukwueze equalised before the break. Vinícius Júnior then netted a superb solo goal, only for José Luis Morales to level the score. In the final minutes, Chukwueze curled home a brilliant winner, virtually ending Madrid’s hopes of retaining the title.
Carlo Ancelotti made six changes from the 4‑0 Clasico thrashing of Barcelona in the Copa del Rey midweek, keeping the upcoming Chelsea visit in mind. Nevertheless, the Italian coach retained his attacking trio of Karim Benzema, Rodrygo and Vinícius, hoping to settle the game early. Real Madrid took the lead in the 16th minute after an electric break: Marco Asensio drove forward and Vinícius’s low cross ricocheted off Torres into his own net.
Villarreal’s veteran goalkeeper Pepe Reina made two fine saves to deny Benzema and Rodrygo as Madrid tried to extend their advantage, while Madrid’s keeper Thibaut Courtois twice denied Alex Baena from distance. The visitors levelled late in the first half when Chukwueze’s magical footwork left defender Nacho Fernández behind, and the Nigerian finished clinically past Courtois.
Madrid emerged flying in the second half, and Vinícius scored a brilliant goal of his own, nutmegging defender Aïssa Mandi before slipping the ball home. The Brazilian winger, on 21 goals across all competitions, should have matched his tally of 22 from last season but fired into the side netting after being set up by Benzema. The French forward, who had scored hat‑tricks in his previous two games, was withdrawn before the hour mark to rest him for the Chelsea clash.
Villarreal pulled level in the 70th minute when Chukwueze’s cross created danger and substitute Morales finished well. The goal was initially ruled out for off‑side against Chukwueze, but VAR confirmed the Nigerian was onside. With ten minutes remaining, Chukwueze scored a brilliant second, curling the ball into the top corner from outside the area to put Villarreal ahead. It was his fifth goal in his last seven La Liga matches, marking the best form of his career.
As Madrid scrambled for an equaliser, they were awarded a penalty when the ball appeared to strike Mandi’s arm as he slid on the floor. After consulting VAR replays, the referee cancelled the penalty, and Madrid were left beaten.
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