Real Madrid break the deadlock at La Cerámica and take all three points against a committed Villarreal side still battling against misfortune
In football, details do not just matter. They also define matches, and those who have them on their side usually walk away with all three points. That is exactly what happened in Villarreal vs Real Madrid (0-2) at La Cerámica, where a deflected goal from Mbappé and a stoppage-time penalty handed victory to Madrid. With very little, they broke the deadlock in an evenly balanced contest and left the groguets empty-handed, despite the effort and strong performance produced against Real Madrid.
The Yellow Submarine welcomed Real Madrid in a genuine high-profile clash between the third- and second-placed teams in LALIGA EA Sports. The Yellows came into the match after a setback against Real Betis at La Cartuja (2-0), while the visitors arrived on the back of a 2-0 win over Levante UD at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, their first victory of the Arbeloa era, which had begun with a surprise Copa del Rey defeat against Albacete BP (3-2).
Without Mouriño and Comesaña, both suspended, but with Pape Gueye fresh from his Africa Cup of Nations triumph, Villarreal faced the demanding challenge against Los Blancos. Marcelino opted for a starting XI featuring Luiz Júnior in goal; Pau Navarro, Foyth, Renato Veiga and Pedraza in defence; Buchanan, Parejo, Gueye and Moleiro in midfield; with the talent of Mikautadze and Gerard leading the attack.
Following the tribute to Pape Gueye on the pitch and with a packed-out yellow crowd, the spectacle got under way on the pristine surface at La Cerámica. In the opening minutes, both Los Blancos and the groguets looked to exploit space and cause damage in transition.
Gerard Moreno’s boots were the source of Villarreal’s most promising attacking moves. As always, the forward brought composure and clarity to the Yellows’ bold and vertical play. Early on, Moleiro, Buchanan and Mikautadze all finished Villarreal attacks without finding the target.
In the 22nd minute, Marcelino was forced into his first substitution. Juan Foyth was unable to continue and Rafa Marín came on in place of the Argentine. The blow of an unfortunate injury did not dent the team’s morale, and Villarreal grew into the game as the minutes passed. By the half-hour mark, the Yellow Submarine were enjoying their best spell in possession.
In the closing stages of the first half, Real Madrid pushed forward in search of the opening goal. In the 40th minute, Vinicius had the visitors’ clearest chance of the half, firing a low shot from the edge of the area that drifted wide.
In first-half stoppage time, the Submarine responded with a chance of their own. Pape Gueye latched onto a fine pass from Parejo behind the Madrid midfield and launched a swift transition. The Senegalese midfielder surged forward to the edge of the area and unleashed a left-footed strike that flew wide of Courtois’ goal. With the score at 0-0, the match went into the break.
Just two minutes into the second half, Real Madrid took the lead. A clearance from Pape Gueye following a Vinicius cross fell kindly to Mbappé inside the box. The Frenchman made no mistake and opened the scoring for Los Blancos. Once again, the fine margins favoured the opposition and punished the Yellows, as had already happened against Real Betis and previously against FC Barcelona.
The Yellow Submarine struggled to find their rhythm in the early stages of the second half, particularly after conceding. Real Madrid looked to capitalise, dominating possession and searching for a second goal to put the game beyond Villarreal’s reach. They did not find it, and just after the hour mark, Gerard had a golden opportunity to make it 1-1. From a set-piece, the No.7 found himself unmarked inside the area, but his powerful effort flew over the crossbar.
In search of an equaliser, with 20 minutes remaining, Marcelino introduced Nicolas Pepe and Tani Oluwaseyi. Two quick and direct players tasked with threatening a Real Madrid side that was becoming increasingly less dominant, protecting a narrow lead and running down the clock at every opportunity.
Ultimately, a lack of accuracy in possession outweighed the groguets’ firm determination to find the equaliser. In stoppage time, Real Madrid made it 0-2. Once again Mbappé, from the penalty spot, sealed an even contest in which Los Blancos, with very little, claimed all three points at La Cerámica.
