Real Madrid secures 2-1 victory against Villarreal : match highlights, goals and result

In a thrilling La Liga encounter at Estadio de la Cerámica on March 15, 2025, Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory against Villarreal. Kylian Mbappé proved to be the difference maker, scoring twice to overturn Villarreal’s early lead and propel Los Blancos to the top of the La Liga standings with 60 points. This result showcased Real Madrid’s resilience, especially considering they had just 66 hours of rest following their Champions League derby triumph over Atlético Madrid.

In Short

Mbappé’s brilliant double steers Madrid to crucial away win

Villarreal started the match with explosive energy, taking an early lead when Juan Foyth capitalized on a defensive error. The Argentine defender pounced on a loose ball after a corner kick deflected off Tchouaméni’s back, sending the home crowd into raptures. Thibaut Courtois, who had already been called into action with a spectacular save from Ayoze Pérez moments earlier, could do nothing to prevent the opener.

Real Madrid’s response was swift and decisive. Brahim Díaz, who was given a starting role alongside Mbappé and Rodrygo in attack, created the equalizer with a brilliant run into the box. Although his attempted chip was well saved by Diego Conde, Mbappé reacted quickest to the rebound, slotting home to level the score at 1-1.

The French superstar wasn’t finished. Just minutes later, Lucas Vázquez made a determined run down the right flank before pulling the ball back into the danger area. When Villarreal midfielder Gueye failed to clear effectively, Mbappé pounced again, firing a powerful and precise shot past Conde to complete the turnaround and give Madrid a 2-1 lead they would not relinquish.

With this double, Mbappé reached 20 league goals for the season, placing him just one behind Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski in the race for the Pichichi trophy. The performance silenced critics who had noted his relatively dry spell of just one goal in five matches prior to this encounter. His total tally now stands at 31 goals across all competitions this season, highlighting why advanced predictive models consistently rate him among the elite finishers in world football.

“I feel very good. My 2025 is going very well,” Mbappé stated post-match. “I want to help the team win, and we must continue after the international break.” When compared to Madrid legends like Cristiano Ronaldo, Mbappé humbly responded, “They are legends who marked an era. It’s very important, but they’re just numbers. If I score more goals than Cristiano and Ronaldo, it doesn’t mean I’m better, just that I score more goals.”

Tactical adjustments and squad rotation prove decisive

Carlo Ancelotti made four significant changes to the team that defeated Atlético Madrid in the Champions League. Most notably, Vinícius Júnior was rested following his exertions in the derby, with Brahim Díaz coming into the attack. Lucas Vázquez and Fran García returned at full-back, while Camavinga was recalled to strengthen the midfield alongside Valverde.

The most surprising selection was Tchouaméni’s deployment as a central defender, partnering with academy graduate Raúl Asencio. This bold move by Ancelotti paid dividends, as Tchouaméni made several crucial interventions, including a vital sliding tackle to deny Pépé a clear opportunity in the penalty area.

Villarreal manager Marcelino García Toral also made tactical adjustments, giving Canadian Tajon Buchanan his first start as a right winger and bringing Comesaña back into midfield. Despite these changes, Villarreal couldn’t break down Madrid’s resilient defense in the second half, with Courtois making a total of eight saves throughout the match.

The victory held special significance for Real Madrid, as it ended their longest winless away streak against a single opponent in La Liga. Prior to this match, Madrid had failed to win at Estadio de la Cerámica since February 2017, a run of seven matches without victory (6D 1L). This statistic had been their worst such sequence since their struggles against Deportivo La Coruña between 1992 and 2008.

Ancelotti’s post-match comments highlighted his satisfaction with the team’s character: “A very important match, very difficult, because Villarreal is up there. We knew we had to win after the Atleti game. With extra time and everything. But we had the personality and the desire. We fought until the end.” The Italian coach also reiterated his criticism of the scheduling, revealing that the club had twice requested a change from La Liga without success.

Statistical highlights and defensive concerns

While the victory put Real Madrid temporarily top of La Liga with 60 points, statistical concerns remain about their defensive solidity. They have now conceded 53 goals in 48 matches across all competitions this season – a tally matched only by Girona among La Liga’s top teams, with only Real Valladolid (69) having a worse defensive record.

The match saw several standout individual performances beyond Mbappé’s heroics. Courtois was exceptional between the posts, making crucial saves from Ayoze Pérez, Comesaña, and Pépé to preserve Madrid’s lead. Fede Valverde received a hostile reception from the Villarreal fans due to his previous altercation with Álex Baena, but responded with a disciplined performance in midfield.

Rodrygo, despite not getting on the scoresheet, showed his tactical intelligence by providing defensive support to Fran García against Villarreal’s dangerous right-sided attacks. The Brazilian was instrumental in helping Madrid maintain their shape during the hosts’ periods of pressure.

Mbappé’s double meant he joined an elite group of players who have scored more than 20 league goals in each of the last five seasons across Europe’s top five leagues – a feat matched only by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. Furthermore, he became just the second player after Karim Benzema to score more than 20 goals in a La Liga season for Real Madrid since Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure in 2018.

For Villarreal, the defeat was a setback in their quest to secure fifth place and Champions League qualification. Despite strong performances from Ayoze Pérez and Álex Baena, they couldn’t find an equalizer, with their best chance falling to Barry, whose header narrowly missed the crossbar. The result leaves them in fifth position with 44 points, still well-positioned for European qualification as the season enters its final stretch.

The international break comes at a perfect time for Madrid, allowing players to recover from their intensive fixture schedule before returning for the crucial final phase of the season with renewed energy and focus on their triple crown ambitions.