Real Madrid bounced back from their midweek Champions League defeat to Lille by securing a 2-0 victory over Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday. Goals from Fede Valverde and Vinicius Junior allowed Los Blancos to claim all three points at the Santiago Bernabeu, keeping them level with Barcelona at the top of the league. However, the win was dampened by a serious knee injury to Dani Carvajal, while Vinicius Junior also experienced discomfort in his shoulder late in the game.
Key Moments in the Match:
Fede Valverde opened the scoring early in the 14th minute with a long-range effort that deflected off Villarreal midfielder Alex Baena and found the back of the net. Valverde’s goal put Real Madrid in control, and Vinicius Junior doubled the lead with a stunning strike from outside the box, blasting the ball into the top corner.
Villarreal fought hard, with Nicolas Pepe coming close to scoring when his header clipped the top of the crossbar. Real Madrid’s defense, however, stood firm, with stand-in goalkeeper Andriy Lunin making key saves in the absence of the injured Thibaut Courtois.
Carvajal’s Injury Woes:
In the closing moments of the match, Dani Carvajal suffered a knee injury while attempting to clear the ball under pressure from Villarreal forward Yeremi Pino. The injury appeared serious, and Carvajal was stretchered off the pitch. Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the injury would be assessed, but the initial outlook suggests Carvajal could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
“It seems to be a serious knee injury, and the players are worried,” Ancelotti said post-match. “Carvajal is a key player for us, and this is a setback.”
Mbappe’s Performance:
Kylian Mbappe, returning from a thigh injury, started the match but had a quiet performance, with his best chance coming in the first half when he burst into the penalty area, only to be denied by Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Conde. Mbappe was substituted in the 70th minute, making way for Rodrygo Goes. The French forward’s form and fitness remain a point of concern as Madrid navigates a busy schedule in La Liga and Europe.
Growing Injury Concerns:
Vinicius Junior, who scored Madrid’s second goal, also left the pitch with shoulder discomfort, adding to Real Madrid’s mounting injury issues. With key players like Toni Kroos and Thibaut Courtois already sidelined, Ancelotti will be hoping for positive news regarding both Carvajal and Vinicius in the coming days.
Despite these concerns, Real Madrid’s ability to secure a crucial win against third-placed Villarreal highlights their resilience as they continue to challenge for the La Liga title alongside rivals Barcelona.
