Alexander Sorloth produced a remarkable second-half hat-trick as Villarreal came from three goals down to draw 4-4 with Real Madrid in a La Liga thriller.
2023/2024 La Liga
4-4
Match Report
Carlo Ancelotti’s side looked to be in for another comfortable afternoon as a brace from Arda Guler and goals from Joselu and Lucas Vazquez saw them take a 4-1 lead at the break.
Sorloth’s goal at 2-0 down appeared to be nothing more than a consolation going into the second period but the Norwegian’s quick-fire hat-trick in the space of eight minutes brought the hosts level.
The 28-year-old’s four goals saw him take the lead in the race for the Pichichi but having failed to claim all three points, Villarreal can no longer qualify for European football next season.
As for Los Blancos, Ancelotti won’t be too concerned by the result having wrapped up the league title and playing a significantly weakened line-up ahead of their UEFA Champions League final against Borussia Dortmund.
Arda Guler opened the scoring for the visitors with a clinical finish after some well-worked build-up play before Joselu doubled their lead with an excellent header and his tenth league goal of the campaign.
Sorloth's equally impressive headed effort was almost instantly cancelled out by Vazquez's tidy finish before Guler looked to put the game to bed with his second and Madrid's fourth of the contest.
Marcelino made three changes at half-time but it was captain Gerard Moreno, who was in the starting eleven after returning from injury, who set up the three second-half strikes.
The first with an excellent cross to find the head of Sorloth once again, before some intricate and accurate passing created the next two which the Norwegian finished smartly on his left foot.
Villarreal looked the more likely to find a winner with Sorloth going closest as they pushed for all three points but the result sees them remain in eigth, four points adrift of Real Betis in the final European spot with just one game to play.
Real Madrid remain 12 points clear at the top of the table having been crowned champions at the start of the month but their wait for a victory away to Villarreal in La Liga extends to seven games.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
7' Match Event for Villarreal vs Real Madrid
14' He is him! Güler scored goals in 3 consecutive games! Villarreal 0-1 Real Madrid
23' Match Event for Villarreal vs Real Madrid
30' GOAL! Joselu doubles the lead! Villarreal 0-2 Real Madrid
35' Match Event for Villarreal vs Real Madrid
39' GOAL! Ceballos gives hosts great chance to score! Villarreal 1-3 Real Madrid
40' GOAL! Vazquez makes it three with Diaz's assist! Villarreal 1-4 Real Madrid
47' GOAL! Arda Güler has scored a brace! Villarreal 1-4 Real Madrid
48' GOAL! Sørloth scored the 2nd goal to help his side! Villarreal 2-4 Real Madrid
52' GOAL! Sørloth completes hat-trick! Villarreal 3-4 Real Madrid
56' GOAL! Incredible FOUR goals from Sørloth to equalize! Villarreal 4-4 Real Madrid
69' Highlight from Villarreal vs Real Madrid
80' Great run by Rodrygo but he couldn't convert it into a goal!
83' Match Event for Villarreal vs Real Madrid
Line-ups
Villarreal XI: Parejo, G. Moreno, Moreno, Alexander Sørloth, Guedes, Bailly, Santi Comesaña, Jorge Cuenca, Filip Jørgensen, Yerson Mosquera, Ilias Akhomach
Subs: Reina, Albiol, Capoue, Coquelin, Mandi, Traore, Trigueros, Morales, Ramón Terrats
Real Madrid XI: Modric, Joselu, Rudiger, Vazquez, Ceballos, Valverde, Militao, Brahim, Andriy Lunin, Fran García, Arda Güler
Subs: Kroos, Courtois, Nacho, Carvajal, Kepa, F Mendy, Vinicius, Rodrygo, Eduardo Camavinga, Jude Bellingham, Mario Martín