Mbappe smashes Villarreal with a brace and shows Brahim how to take 'panenka' penalty

After a struggling beginning of Alvaro Arbeloa's spell at Real Madrid's bench and a defeat to the second-tier side Albacete in the Copa del Rey, Los Blancos beat Levante 2-0 in La Liga and then smashed Monaco 6-1 in the Champions League, healing the wounds.

However, today's win may be the most important in that process, as the capital crew brushed aside another UCL team, Villarreal, in a fierce road clash - 2-0.

The Madridistas didn't shine - nor did their rivals - but another clean-sheet triumph has to boost everyone's confidence at Santiago Bernabeu.

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The decisive moment occurred two minutes after the break, when Kylian Mbappe (with a bit of luck) exploited a melee in the Yellow Submarine's box and sent a rebound into the home team's net.

The Frenchman completed a brace in added time from the spot, showing Brahim Diaz how to shoot a panenka, and set the final score.

A statement victory. That's all Madrid need at the moment.

The opening half of the clash between two Champions League sides brought little elite football. Only two attempts on target - both Madrid's and both pretty harmless - Villarreal's fearless performance, and a fierce fight in the midfield.

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr in Los Blancos' attack were almost invisible, and if anyone expected another scoring spree like against Monaco four days ago (6-1), the first period at Estadio de la Ceramica proved them wrong.

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However, the beginning of the second half was nowhere near as the first one, as the visitors broke the deadlock after just 103 seconds! Villarreal's defence failed to clear the ball after a cross from the left flank, Mbappe was the closest to it, and luckily managed to find the net, putting his team in front.

Still, the Yellow Submarine by no means wanted to give up. In the 63rd minute, following a free-kick action, Gerard Moreno shot over the bar from a close range. Alberto Moleiro attempted eight minutes later, hit the target, but fired straight into Thibaut Courtois' arms. At the same time, Villarreal boss Marcelino subbed on the former Arsenal duo, Nicolas Pepe and Thomas Partey in the last quarter of an hour in pursuit of a leveller.

Still, his men failed to threatened the Belgian in Madrid's goal until the end. On the contrary, they conceded another goal in added time, as Mbappe completed a brace from the spot with a panenka - watch and learn Brahim Diaz - scoring his 21st goal of the season, while the visitors handed the Yellow Submarine their only second home defeat in the ongoing La Liga campaign.

Arbeloa's lads are now two points ahead of Barcelona, which will have to respond tomorrow in a clash against Real Oviedo at Camp Nou (18.15).

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 21

Friday

Levante - Elche 3-2 (0-1)

/Martinez 50, De la Fuente 68, Matturro 90+6 - Rodriguez 11, Boayar 90+2/

Saturday

Rayo Vallecano - Osasuna 1-3 (0-1)

/Ismael Ciss 59 - Budimir 29, Vertrouwd 90+1 og, Osambela 90+4/

Valencia - Espanyol 3-2 (1-0)

/Duro 15, Comert 59, Ramazani 90+4 pen - Terrats 54, Copete 79 og/

Sevilla - Ath. Bilbao 2-1 (1-1)

/Fernandez 42, Adams 56 pen - Navarro 40/

Villarreal - Real Madrid 0-2 (0-0)

/Mbappe 47, 90+2 pen/

Sunday

16.00: (1.32) Atl.Madrid (5.10) Mallorca (10.0)

18.15: (1.12) Barcelona (12.0) Oviedo (19.0)

20.30: (2.05) Sociedad (3.50) Celta (3.90)

23.00: (2.90) Alaves (3.15) Betis (2.55)

Monday

23.00: (2.10) Girona (3.15) Getafe (3.90)

***odds are subject to change***