Mbappe’s brace fires Madrid last Villarreal, regains top spot

Kylian Mbappe scored twice in the 2-1 comeback victory at Villarreal, sending Real Madrid back to the top of La Liga.

The defending champions fell behind to the hosts as Juan Foyth opened the scoring. However, two goals in six minutes earned the points for Madrid.

Villarreal started the stronger, as they were denied twice by Thibaut Courtois in the opening seven minutes.

The hosts then took the lead from the resulting corner of the second attempt, after Courtois tipped Perez’s effort behind. Foyth slammed home Alex Baena’s corner, after a scramble around the goalline.

Few minutes later, Madrid sparked back to life, clinching the equaliser, courtesy of Mbappe’s strike. The Frenchman smashed home a rebound, after Brahim Diaz’s shot was saved by Diego Conde.

The former Paris Saint-Germain forward got the winner five minutes after, as he curled a shot past Conde, following Lucas Vazquez’s cutback.

Mbappe’s brace moves him to 20 league goals, one behind Barcelona frontman, Robert Lewandowski.

Courtois also ensured Madrid claimed all three points, as he went on to deny several efforts from Nicholas Pepe and Alex Baena, amongst others.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side are now three points ahead of Barcelona, who faces third-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, Villarreal remain fifth in La Liga, five points off the Champions League qualification places.