Villarreal vs Real Madrid: Mbapppe shows Brahim Diaz how it's done, sends Los Blancos top of LALIGA

Kylian Mbappe scored a brace, including a Panenka penalty late in the game, to help Real Madrid beat Villarreal 2-0 and move top of the league.

Real Madrid arrived in Villarreal knowing victory could lift them above Barcelona, and Alvaro Arbeloa's side delivered thanks to Mbappé’s decisive brace. 

Mbappe's second goal was a Panenka, which he confirmed he did for Brahim Diaz, who is still reeling from his poor attempt at the spotkick during the AFCON final against Senegal.

The opening half unfolded as a tense tactical battle, with Villarreal willing to drop dip but aggressively. They also attempted to disrupt Madrid’s midfield rhythm through Pape Gueye and Dani Parejo.

The hosts carved out the first clear opening in the 24th minute when Gerard Moreno met Tajon Buchanan’s low cross, but Thibaut Courtois reacted sharply to push the effort wide. 

At the other end, Vinícius Júnior forced Luiz Júnior into a low save after cutting inside from the left, while Jude Bellingham dragged a close-range effort narrowly past the post following Federico Valverde’s driven cross.

Madrid found their breakthrough just two minutes after the restart, in the 47th minute, capitalising on a costly Villarreal mistake. Pape Gueye’s heavy touch in midfield allowed Mbappé to pounce and release Mbappé, who surged into the box and calmly slotted past Luiz Júnior to make it 1-0, silencing the home crowd

ɓVillarreal responded with urgency, and in the 59th minute, Alberto Moleiro tested Courtois with a fierce strike from range, but the Belgian goalkeeper stood firm.

As Villarreal pushed for an equaliser, Madrid exploited the spaces left behind. Vinícius and Arda Güler repeatedly threatened on the counter, with Valverde’s long-range drive in the 72nd minute narrowly clearing the crossbar.

The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time, when Mbappé was clipped inside the area by Alfonso Pedraza while racing onto a through ball. The referee pointed immediately to the spot, and in the 93rd minute, Mbappé confidently dispatched the penalty into the bottom corner to complete his brace and secure the points.