Real Madrid were without the injured Karim Benzema and the dropped Gareth Bale but Mariano Diaz scored twice in a 3-2 win over Villarreal.
Match Report
Mariano Diaz ensured Real Madrid coped without the injured Karim Benzema by scoring twice in a 3-2 win over Villarreal that helped Los Blancos bounce back from a dismal result a week earlier.
Zinedine Zidane's men did not have it all their own way against their relegation-threatened visitors, but Mariano's strikes in the opening moments of either half helped Madrid overcome the absence of their leading scorer and unsettled forward Gareth Bale, who was left out of the squad.
When careless play allowed Gerard Moreno to plunder an equaliser for Villarreal it looked as though Madrid's recent struggles would continue, but Jesus Vallejo restored calm around the Santiago Bernabeu with his first goal of the season before Mariano netted his second.
Substitute Jaume Costa had the final say courtesy of a stoppage-time effort, with the result leaving second-placed Atletico Madrid within reach for Real, who will still be left to reflect on an underwhelming campaign even if they do catch their rivals.
Player Ratings
Match Events
0' Madrid players put on shirts to support Casillas
2' GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Villarreal (Mariano)
GOAL! What a start for Madrid! Diaz robs Cazorla of possession in a dangerous position before Mariano beats both Gonzalez and Funes Mori to the loose ball before finding the bottom left corner from the edge of the box. 1-0.
11' GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Villarreal (Moreno)
GOAL! Villarreal are level! Fornals does superbly well to win possession back for the away side in a dangerous position from Casemiro. The Spaniard then slides the ball into the path of Moreno who controls it brilliantly on the edge of the box before slotting his left-footed strike beyond Courtois and into the top right corner. 1-1.
15' OFF THE POST! Carvajal almost scores
OFF THE POST! Carvajal tries his luck from distance and the Spaniardโs fierce strike cannons off the post and back into play before Mariano is flagged for offside.
40' GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Villarreal (Vallejo)
GOAL! Madrid regain the lead! Following a corner to the left, Casemiro works the ball short to Marcelo and the Brazilian sees his right-footed effort from the edge of the box well saved by Fernandez, but Vallejo is first to react and knocks the ball beyond the Villarreal goalkeeper from close range. 2-1.
49' GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal (Mariano)
GOAL! Mariano makes it three! Wonderful play from Madrid as Casemiro plays a wonderful ball in behind for Carvajal to chase. The Spaniard is able to control the pass expertly before sliding it across goal for Mariano to turn home from a matter of yards. 3-1.
94' GOAL! Real Madrid 3-2 Villarreal (Jaume Costa)
Jaume Costa scored a last-gasp goal for Villarreal but it won't do much change to the final result.
Moomin17
311
Story of the match. Real Madrid playing in Etihad stadium. Fake jersey number 7 score double. Carvajal is not only a goalkeeper but also a part time striker the shoot says that. Most Important : Real Madrid still playing for nothing.
dettaboss4l
215
Atleast Mariano can feel like he replaced Ronaldo for one night ๐
Williej
190
This has to.be the best match Madrid has played since Zidane took over, impressive to see how they're finally able to make a difference without their number one player (benzema). Although It's hard to see that this is the same team that drew 4-4 with Barcelona, with the exception of certain key players. Chukwueze played really well but and wasn't Ekambi substituted in place of Fornals . This was a complete let down by Javier calleja
Moomin17
184
Today Casillas was there with them so they won. ๐ช
Topmaike
176
I know Mariano will do better, only if Vinicius played alongside Brahim Diaz then he would have played and score More cos vinicius is born to create chances and brahim Diaz is also a vast playing footballer.. nevertheless Hala Madrid what matters most is that we won..
abdulkware
145
finally Mariano decided to play well after realizing that Frankfurt want him as part of Jovic deal ๐
Wapnoruz
87
This guy got Zidane's memories. Zidane: Don't want anyone now. Diaz is the speed breaker in my way of transfers.
Trevorn
71
Benzema wasn't missed,Mariano was great.๐ฅ Spain doesn't need to worry about a replacement for Ramos,they got Vallejo๐ฏ Carvajal was brilliant from start to finish.โ Courtois is a very unlucky man. Most of the goals scored on him are perfectly placed shots,stop the criticism.๐ MARCELO!! Great to see him back at his best. ๐ Vinicius came on and skied couple chances, nothing serious๐๐๐๐ The rest players had a decent match. That was the best performance from us under Zidane. Hala Madrid!!
cupcknrsu
59
At least Zidane has realized that Modric and Bale are the reason why Madrid has been performing poorly . Toni had a good game today. Real needs mid fielders who can drive the ball forward quickly and it seems Isco can't do that, he contributed nothing today.
Bruh_Samir7
59
Diaz What a performance form him good job keep it up boy you will be one of the great ๐ number 7 one day ๐๐๐๐ค๐ค๐คโฝ๏ธโฝ๏ธโฝ๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธโค๏ธ
Maano7
55
Vallejo's goal, mariano's brcae, B.Diaz's mature,marcelo's honest playing,carvejal's brilliant assisted, Casamiro's tank fire, courtous'......, zidane's struggle honour, vinicius come back making us emotional heart madridista.
Aleonhkss
54
vinicius and brahim should have been assisting Mariano infront with there brilliant skill of creating chances and should have started vini instead of Vazquez who did nothing in this match..
Champthe1
12
Story of the match. Real Madrid playing in Etihad stadium. Fake jersey number 7 score double. Carvajal is not only a goalkeeper but also a part time striker the shoot says that. Most Important : Real Madrid still playing for nothing.
Pique is not a goalkeeper but also a good own-goal scorer and a basketball player most important : Luis suarez is the best actor of all time
Sofiane_dz
11
Story of the match. Real Madrid playing in Etihad stadium. Fake jersey number 7 score double. Carvajal is not only a goalkeeper but also a part time striker the shoot says that. Most Important : Real Madrid still playing for nothing.
can Barca do like this ? ๐ 13 UCL 33 LaLiga don't talk to me ๐