LALIGA
Result: Villarreal 1-2 Real Madrid
Date: 15 March 2025
Venue: Estadio de la Cerámica
Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia replaced Antonio Rudiger and Ferland Mendy, while Brahim Diaz came in for Vinicius Junior who dropped to the bench after Wednesday's UEFA Champions League action.
The Yellow Submarine opened the scoring after just seven minutes, as defender Juan Foyth, who was unmarked on the corner, fired home from close range following some poor defending.
Los Blancos got back on level terms in the 16th minute when as goalkeeper - parried Vazquez's shot into the path of Kylian Mbappe, who volleyed home from close range for his 19th league goal and 30th overall, matching Ronaldo de Lima's goal-tally in his debut season back in the 2004/05 campaign.
Mbappe completed the turnaround for Los Blancos eight minutes later after getting on the end of Vazquez's pass before calmly slotting into the top corner from just inside the box.
Carlo Ancelotti's men dominated possession for the remainder but were unable to add to their advantage, with Rodrygo going close on two occasions in the final ten minutes of the first stanza.
Villarreal responded with a change at the start of the second half, with former Arsenal winger Pepe making way after a quiet display and was replaced by Thierno Barry.
Los Blancos responded with a double change of their own just before the hour mark, as Rudiger replaced Raul Asencio in central defence while Vinicius came on for Diaz to freshen up the attack.
The hosts were camped in the Los Blancos half in the closing stages of the second half and they had a chance to equalise on 84 minutes but Ayoze Perez sent his effort over the crossbar as the visitors held on for the win.
