Real Madrid vs Villarreal
La Liga
Sunday
17th December 2023
Santiago Bernabeu
Attendance: 70,500
Scorers: J Bellingham (25th minute), Rodrygo (37th minute), J Morales (54th minute), B Diaz (64th minute), L Modric (68th minute).
First Half
Real Madrid prevailed 4-1 over Villarreal in an eventful LaLiga clash. The home side took an early lead through Jude Bellingham’s 25th minute header, before extending the advantage after the break with goals from Rodrygo and Luka Modric.
The first half saw end-to-end action, with Real fashioning the better openings. Bellingham headed Madrid in front following Modric’s cross on 25 minutes. The Croatian then smacked the bar from range soon after. Villarreal’s threat came via counters, with Parejo and Baena dangerous from set pieces.
Real lost David Alaba and Villarreal striker Gerard Moreno to injury before the break. An open, frenetic first 45 minutes ended with the score at 1-0.
Second half
Within minutes of the restart, Rodrygo thought he doubled Real’s advantage, only to have the goal chalked off for offside. But the forward did extend the lead on 64 minutes after being teed up by substitute Fran Garcia.
Villarreal hit back just minutes later, as Jose Luis Morales finished off a rapid counter to bring the visitors back into contention. Any hopes of a comeback were quashed though as Modric drilled home from close range on 68 minutes, after Rodrygo’s shot was blocked.
The last 20 minutes were played at a more pedestrian pace, as Real comfortably saw out the victory. Bellingham came close to adding gloss with a 72nd minute attempt. Modric picked up a late booking, and substitute Tchouameni saw a long-range drive parried away in stoppage time.
The comprehensive 4-1 home win consolidates Real’s place atop LaLiga. Standouts Modric and Rodrygo both scored and assisted, while Bellingham’s early opener set the platform for three points. Villarreal remains midtable, undone by its porous defense despite Morales’ consolation strike.
The bigger picture
While it was yet another routine win for Real Madrid in their hopes of capturing the league title, the club ultimately lost. The ACL injury to David Alaba means that it is the 3rd of such a kind for a Real Madrid player this season. This happens after both Thibaut Courtois and Éder Militão tore their ACLs as well. Meanwhile, Gerrard Moreno’s injury is a concern for Villareal’s fans.
