Vinicius Double Fires Real Madrid Back on Top After Derby Disaster
Real Madrid are back in business. After last weekend’s painful defeat to Atletico, Vinicius Junior led the response in style, scoring twice as Los Blancos beat Villarreal 3–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu to reclaim top spot in La Liga.
It wasn’t all smooth sailing — the first half was flat, the crowd restless, and boos echoed around the stadium. But as soon as the second half began, Vinicius took control.
Vinicius Sparks the Comeback
Barely 90 seconds after the restart, Kylian Mbappé flicked the ball into Vinicius’s path. The Brazilian cut inside, fired, and saw his shot take a heavy deflection off Santi Comesaña before flying past Arnau Tenas at the near post. Relief. Noise. Energy.
That goal opened the floodgates. Vinicius, now full of confidence, was everywhere — running, pressing, creating. His reward came again in the 69th minute when he was tripped inside the box by Rafa Marín. He picked himself up, slotted the penalty under Tenas, and made it 2–0.
The Bernabéu erupted. Madrid were flowing again — fast, furious, and finally fun to watch.
Villarreal Hit Back, but Madrid Hold Firm
Still, Villarreal didn’t fold. The visitors remained dangerous on the counter and found a way back when Georges Mikautadze smashed a powerful shot into the bottom corner past Thibaut Courtois. Suddenly, it was game on.
Jude Bellingham, starting from the bench, nearly restored the two-goal cushion moments earlier but was denied in a one-on-one with Tenas. Yet Madrid’s class eventually showed.
After Villarreal’s Santiago Mourino saw red for pulling back Vinicius, Madrid punished them instantly. Brahim Díaz, unselfish as ever, squared the ball for Mbappé, who calmly slotted home for 3–1.
Mbappé Injury Mars the Night
The only concern for Carlo Ancelotti came late on, when Mbappé limped off holding his foot. Madrid fans held their breath — their superstar’s injury took a little shine off what was otherwise a dominant comeback display.
Still, the message was clear: this Madrid side knows how to respond. With 21 points from eight games, they sit two points ahead of Barcelona, who play Sevilla on Sunday.
After the chaos of the Madrid derby, this was exactly the answer Ancelotti needed — strong, focused, and full of character.
