Kylian Mbappé scored twice to help Real Madrid fight back to beat Villarreal 2-1 and move top of La Liga overnight.
The hosts opened the scoring in the seventh minute when Álex Baena’s corner was deflected by Aurélien Tchouaméni, allowing Juan Foyth to score from close range. Real Madrid levelled 10 minutes later when Mbappé pounced on Brahim Díaz’s blocked shot and the ball landed at his feet for a close-range finish.
Six minutes later, the French international scored his 20th league goal of the season, latching on to Lucas Vázquez’s through ball and slotting home. Mbappé had a chance to complete his hat-trick in the second half when he latched on to Vinícius Júnior’s through ball, but the offside flag was raised.
“It’s the last time we’ll play a game with less than 72 hours’ rest,” said Carlo Ancelotti, referring to Wednesday’s gruelling Champions League shootout win over their city rivals Atlético Madrid.
Real top the table on 60 points, three clear of second-placed Barcelona, who have a game in hand after their match with Osasuna was postponed last week, and face third-placed Atlético on Sunday.
In Italy, second-half goals by Christian Pulisic and Tijjani Reijnders gave Milan a thrilling 2-1 comeback win at home against Como in Serie A, with Dele Alli sent off for the visitors minutes into his first match in two years. The former England international Alli made his first competitive appearance since February 2023 but it lasted mere minutes as he was sent off in stoppage time for stamping on Milan’s Ruben Loftus-Cheek.
Milan are in seventh with 47 points, five points behind Juventus in fourth, the final Champions League spot, with Juve playing at Fiorentina on Sunday. Como are 13th with 29 points.
