Real Madrid secured a crucial 3-1 victory over top-four rivals Villarreal in Matchweek 8 of La Liga, thanks to a standout performance from the much-criticised Vinícius Júnior.

Amid mounting criticism over recent form and off-pitch controversies, the Brazilian winger delivered the perfect response at the Santiago Bernabéu. He broke the deadlock early in the second half with a clinical finish, then coolly converted a penalty in the 69th minute to double Real Madrid’s lead.

Georges Mikautadze gave Villarreal a glimmer of hope shortly after, narrowing the gap with a well-taken goal. But the final word belonged to Kylian Mbappé, who continued his red-hot scoring form. The French superstar netted his ninth goal of the season, sealing all three points for Los Blancos and maintaining his lead in the La Liga Golden Boot race.

2025-26, Spain - La Liga

Real - Villarreal 3:1 (0:0)
Goals: Vinícius Júnior, 47 (1:0); Vinícius Júnior, 69 (penalty) (2:0); Mikautadze, 73 (2:1); Mbappé, 81 (3:1)

Real: Courtois; Militão; Fernandez Ál.; Huijsen; Tchouaméni; Güler A. (Bellingham, 64); Dani Ceballos (Camavinga, 64); Valverde F.; Mastantuono (Diaz Br., 75); Vinícius Júnior; Mbappé (Rodrygo, 83)
Substitution: Camavinga (from 64); Bellingham (from 64); Diaz Br. (from 75); Rodrygo (from 83)
Bench: Lunin Andriy; Mestre; Alaba; Asencio R.; García Fr.; García G.; Endrick
Yellow Cards: Tchouaméni 33; Mastantuono 45

Villarreal: Tenas; Marín Ra.; Veiga; Mourino (till 77); Cardona S.; Partey T.; Gueye P.A. (Pedraza A., 73); Comesaña (Dani Parejo, 86); Buchanan T. (Pépé N., 46); Moleiro (Mikautadze, 46); Oluwaseyi (Altimira, 82)
Substitution: Mikautadze (from 46); Pépé N. (from 46); Pedraza A. (from 73); Altimira (from 82); Dani Parejo (from 86)
Bench: Júnior L.; Conde; Akhomach; Solomon
Yellow Cards: Cardona S. 12; Mourino 21, 77; Gueye P.A. 69
Red cards: Mourino 77'