Real Madrid Top LaLiga After Vinicius Brace

Real Madrid beat Villarreal 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu to move top of LaLiga, two points clear of Barcelona. All three goals came in the second half as Vinicius Jr. opened the scoring with a deflected finish and later converted a penalty he had won to make it 2-0. Georges Mikautadze pulled one back, but Villarreal were reduced to 10 men when Santiago Mourino was sent off for a second yellow. Kylian Mbappé sealed the win from a counter but limped off with an ankle concern after scoring. Manager Xabi Alonso made several changes, including Federico Valverde at right-back and a late Jude Bellingham cameo, as Madrid head into the international break.