2 goals, 2 key passes, 1 big chance created: French striker’s spectacular outing ensures a Real Madrid victory against Villareal | OneFootball

Following a grueling tie against Atletico Madrid, Real Madrid traveled to La Ceramica and secured a crucial victory against Villarreal in La Liga match day 28.

Less than 72 hours ago, Los Blancos secured qualification to the next round of the Champions League against their city rivals.

Vinícius Júnior was replaced in the lineup by Brahim Díaz as the Brazilian was suffering from discomfort and was not fit enough to start. Even though the Moroccan had enough attacking prowess to trouble the yellow submarine, the onus was on Rodrygo, specifically Kylian Mbappe, to see the side through against a tough opponent.

Villarreal pegged back the Merengues, as Juan Foyth opened the scoring from the home side. However, it took Mbappe just 10 minutes to equalize and a further 6 minutes to not only score a brace but also put the men in white in the lead.

The French striker, in the 2nd-half made some good combinations along with Vinicius and Jude Bellingham up front, looking at his supreme best.

He had a couple of opportunities to score a hattrick – or even more – but the pass did not arrive, even though he was positioned perfectly inside the final third.

According to Sofascore statistics, along with scoring a brace, the World Cup winner also notched a couple of key passes, created 1 big chance, and accurately placed 2/2 long balls.

Villareal manager Marcelinho was adamant that his side deserved to win, but heaped praise on Mbappe in the post-match presser, mentioning how lethal the striker is and if not best, the top 3 in the world.

This brace meant that the French national is La Liga’s 2nd highest goal scorer with 20 goals in 26 matches, only bettered by Robert Lewandowski’s 22 goals in as many matches.

31 goals in 44 matches this season means, the 26-year-old is well on his way to having the highest-scoring debut season in Real Madrid history. He currently sits at 4th in that table, with Cristiano Ronaldo (33 goals), Ruud Van Nistelrooy (33 goals) and only Ivan Zamorano (37 goals) having scored more.

Just 7 goals away from creating history in your debut season, where you were under scrutiny until December – is not a bad stat.

To conclude the stats galore, this victory was also special as it was the first time Real Madrid had secured a win at the La Ceramica in La Liga since 2017.

With this victory, the Vikings sit at 2nd in the league table with the same points as arch-rivals FC Barcelona – the Blaugrana however, have a game in hand.

Players now head off to the penultimate international break of the season and Ancelotti would hope that his players return unscathed, as crucial UCL and league fixtures await them.