Nigeria’s Samuel Chukwueze was the man of the match in Saturday’s La Liga encounter as Villarreal came from behind to defeat reigning champions Real Madrid 3-2. After 15 minutes, Real Madrid took the lead when Villarreal centre-back Pau Torres put the ball past his own keeper. The chance was created by Vinicius and Marco Asensio slicing the visitors open down their left, and when the Spaniard crossed it was turned into the empty net by an unfortunate touch off Torres’ thigh. Madrid attempted to extend their lead, but Pepe Reina saved excellently from Benzema and Rodrygo.
Villarreal, on the other hand, was starting to show their teeth. Chukwueze, Alex Baena, and Giovani Lo Celso all came close with shots and were all involved when the equaliser arrived. Lo Celso exchanged passes with Baena, and when the Argentine put Chukwueze through, there were two shoulder drops that sent Nacho and then Courtois the wrong way before he scored to tie the game at a goal each.
Vinicius put Real Madrid ahead just three minutes after the restart, but Villarreal were not out of it, and when Courtois raced out of his goal to deny Alfonso Pedraza’s effort, the goal was empty, but Yeremy Pino fired wide.
Carlo Ancelotti had pulled Benzema off on the hour, and Villarreal were back on terms ten minutes later. Jose Luis Morales came on and equalised with 20 minutes remaining, putting in Chukwueze’s cross after Manu Trigueros had held the ball up. The goal was incorrectly called out due to offside against the Nigerian winger, but VAR corrected the error.
Chukwueze wasn’t done yet, and when he cut in from the right and curled a wonderful left foot shot past Courtois, it was every bit as excellent as Vinicius’ and proved to be more decisive.
Madrid sensed another spectacular comeback and were awarded a penalty kick when Mandi was ruled to have handled in the penalty area while on the ground. There was a four-minute delay as referee Javier Alberola Rojas investigated and determined that the ball had rebounded off the defender’s chest.
Madrid’s finest chance to equalise came seven minutes into injury time after Vinicus collided with replacement Alberto Moreno, but Asensio blasted his free kick over the bar from the edge of the box.
