Real Madrid are still on course to return to the top of the La Liga standings, but they have been pegged back by Villarreal in their clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.
It was a frustrating first half for Real Madrid, who were not able to find a way to break down the Villarreal defence. Franco Mastantuono had their best chance, but he was denied by a brilliant block from Renato Veiga, while at the other end, Thibaut Courtois made a huge stop to deny Tani Oluwaseyi.
And the visitors were made to pay for that missed opportunity, as Real Madrid took the lead two minutes into the second half. It came from Vinicius Junior, whose effort flew into the back of the net via a big deflection from former Los Blancos defender Rafa Marin. Those two were involved in Real Madrid’s second too, as Marin fouled Vinicius inside the penalty area – the Brazilian stepped up to score his brace from 12 yards.
That gave Real Madrid a cushion, but it has only lasted a matter of minutes as Villarreal have got a goal back courtesy of Georges Mikautadze.
🚨🇪🇸 MIKAUTADZE PULLS ONE BACK FOR VILLARREAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Real Madrid 2-1 Villarreal.pic.twitter.com/W1aDdknKmG
— Tekkers Foot (@tekkersfoot) October 4, 2025
Mikautadze has made a fantastic start to life at Villarreal since joining from Lyon, and his form has now continued with this excellent goal.
