Sorloth scores 4 against Real Madrid to top Pichichi chart and earn Villarreal a draw
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Alexander Sorloth scored four goals for Villarreal in the 4-4 draw against Real Madrid || Image credit: Imago

Sorloth scores 4 against Real Madrid to top Pichichi chart and earn Villarreal a draw

Faruq Ibrahim 20:30 - 19.05.2024

Villarreal striker Alexander Sorloth propelled himself to the top of the LALIGA goalscorer rankings after scoring four goals against Real Madrid in a 4-4 draw.

Real Madrid raced to a 3-0 lead and looked set to cruise to victory; however, a haul from Norwegian striker Alexander Sorloth earned Villarrwal a draw as the match ended 4-4.

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Real Madrid have since wrapped up the LALIGA title but did not slow down, as they continued to cut down all that came before them. They seemed set to steamroll the Yellow Submarines as well but for an inspired Sorloth performance, which helped Villarreal become the first team to take points off Carlo Ancelotti's men in nine LALIGA games.

How it happened

Carlo Ancelotti rang in changes as Real Madrid faced Villarreal, aiming to extend their dominance despite fielding a rotated squad. The visitors, buoyed by recent wins, had European hopes on the line, trailing Real Betis by a narrow margin in the standings.

Villarreal started brightly but fell victim to a clinical Real Madrid counterattack early on. Arda Guler, showing impressive form with three goals in his last four outings, opened the scoring confidently after being set up by Brahim Díaz.

Real Madrid swiftly doubled their lead as former Alaves striker Joselu added to his season tally, heading home a precise cross from Lucas Vazquez, surviving a VAR review for offside.

However, Villarreal capitalised on a lapse in Madrid's defence as Sorloth pulled one back following a mistake from Dani Ceballos. The first half continued to deliver excitement, with Vazquez and Guler each adding to Madrid's tally before the break.

After halftime, Villarreal stunned the visitors with a remarkable comeback, scoring three goals in fifteen minutes to erase Madrid's advantage. Sorloth emerged as the hero for Villarreal with a hat-trick, sending himself top of the Pichichi table.

Despite efforts to regain control, Madrid's wholesale changes couldn't halt Villarreal's momentum as both teams settled for a draw.

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