Kylian Mbappe scores twice as Real Madrid beat Villarreal 2-0 to go top of La Liga, moving two points clear of Barcelona
KYLIAN Mbappe scored a second-half double to give Real Madrid a 2-0 victory at Villarreal on Saturday.
The win sent Alvaro Arbeloa’s side two points clear at the top of La Liga ahead of rivals Barcelona, who play on Sunday.
Mbappe, the league’s top scorer, took his season tally to 21 goals in the competition with a close-range finish and a late penalty.
The French forward has now scored 34 times across all competitions this season for Madrid.
Arbeloa praised his star attackers after the match, highlighting their commitment to the team’s pressing system.
“(Mbappe and Vinicius) are the best players in the world, they are players who can really unbalance teams,” Arbeloa told Real Madrid TV.
The first half at the Estadio de la Ceramica was lively but lacked clear-cut chances for either side.
Villarreal’s Pape Gueye powered a shot narrowly wide just before the interval.
Mbappe broke the deadlock two minutes into the second half, pouncing on a loose ball after Vinicius Junior’s low cross was blocked.
Villarreal pushed for an equaliser, with Gerard Moreno firing inches over the bar from a good position.
Mbappe sealed the victory in stoppage time, chipping a penalty after being fouled by Alfonso Pedraza.
Villarreal midfielder Alberto Moleiro said his team needed more accuracy in attack against top opponents.
The defeat leaves Villarreal fourth in the table, 10 points behind Madrid with a game in hand.
Elsewhere, fifth-placed Espanyol lost 3-2 at Valencia, falling seven points behind Villarreal.
