Two strikes from Samuel Chukwueze – including a memorable winner from distance – helped Villarreal beat Real Madrid at the Bernabeu on Saturday night.
Pau Torres’ own goal gave Los Blancos the lead before Chukwueze netted his first with a twisting jink and finish.
Vinicius Junior put Real ahead shortly after the break but Jose Luis Morales came off the bench to equalise before Chukwueze ran infield and beat Thibaut Courtois from distance.
Carlo Ancelotti rested both Luka Modric and Toni Kroos from his starting XI, with Marco Asensio and Dani Ceballos not quite offering the same security as the iconic Blancos duo.
Vinicius gave an early warning sign of his threat, catching Juan Foyth out of position before sending a shot just wide of the right-hand post.
It would be the hosts who took the lead, benefitting from Torres’ misfortune. Real broke away down the left thanks to a good driving run from Asensio, who fed Vinicius and then claimed it back from the Brazilian on the byline. He smashed the ball into Torres, who saw it hit his leg and spoon into the roof of the net.
That goal sparked Real into life and only veteran goalkeeper Pepe Reina could prevent them taking a 2-0 lead, denying both Karim Benzema and Rodrygo in quick succession.
Chukwueze was the main threat for Villarreal, with his dribbling cutting through Real at times. One such run ended with the right winger just lacking composure at the end to finish.
Vinicius and Rodrygo were a hair away from combining for a second, but the latter couldn’t stretch far enough to add a finishing touch before Chukwueze again fired off target at the other end.
The visitors continued to threaten in a ridiculously open encounter as Alex Baena brought a save from Courtois and Giovani Lo Celso struck just over the top before Chukwueze levelled in style.
The Nigeria international received Lo Celso’s pass, made stringy cheese of Nacho’s knees with his quick feet and then sat down Courtois with his finish at the near post. It was a goal so good it merited a ridiculous description.
Half time came and went and not long after the interval Real were back ahead. Ceballos picked out Vinicius who drove into the box, beating Aissa Mandi and Chukwueze before sliding his finish past Reina from close range.
The Brazil forward couldn’t make it 3-1 moments later, pulling his shot just past the near post from Benzema’s through ball.
Villarreal still threatened and Mandi saw his shot hit the back of the net, only for an offside flag to curtail his celebrations. Substitute Federico Valverde then set up Vinicius, but Foyth’s intervention saw the ball ricochet wide.
Yeremi Pino had an opportunity to lob Courtois but it drifted just wide. It mattered little, however, as Villarreal equalised soon after with a positive verdict from VAR following a lengthy pause.
Great work from Chukwueze helped the ball break to substitute Morales, who eventually finished past Courtois at the second attempt to make it 2-2. It was initially ruled out for an offside call on Chukwueze, but replays showed nothing wrong with the goal.
Reina was alert to deny Asensio’s volley before Villarreal took the lead with a memorable strike.
The electric Chukwueze sent a curling and dipping effort from the edge of the box over Courtois, having opened up space away from Real defenders.
Eduardo Camavinga burst into the box and was awarded a penalty when his cross hit the sliding Mandi. However, VAR intervention showed the ball didn’t touch an arm.
GK: Thibaut Courtois – 6/10 – Made four saves during the first half before Chukwueze left him sunken with a fine finish.
RB: Lucas Vazquez – 4/10 – Didn’t offer much attacking threat and got caught out of position.
CB: Antonio Rudiger – 5/10 – Struggled to get on the front foot in defence against Villarreal’s exchanging forwards.
CB: David Alaba – 5/10 – Unsettled in defence and came off after the break.
LB: Nacho Fernandez – 3/10 – If somebody finds Nacho, please let everyone know.
CM: Dani Ceballos – 7/10 – Grabbed an assist for Vinicius’ strike and was probably Real’s best midfielder.
CM: Aurelien Tchouameni – 6/10 – One hefty tackle made for tense viewing for Real fans as VAR deliberated.
CM: Marco Asensio – 7/10 – His run in midfield and ball across the box set up Torres’ own goal.
RW: Rodrygo – 6/10 – Had five shots – a joint game high with Vinicius – but only hit the target with one.
LW: Vinicius Junior – 8/10 – Thrived in the open nature of the contest, constantly going close in the first half.
ST: Karim Benzema – 6/10 – Pulled strings with nice passes for his wingers. Brought off early before Champions League duties.
Substitutes
Eder Militao (46′ for Alaba) – 5/10
Federico Valverde (59′ for Benzema) – 6/10
Luka Modric (72′ for Tchouameni) – 6/10
Eduardo Camavinga (75′ for Ceballos) – 6/10
Manager
Carlo Ancelotti – 4/10 – Gave some heavy-hitters in midfield a break from the starting XI. Didn’t come off and now has to deal with a bad result heading into the Champions League.
GK: Pepe Reina (7); RB: Juan Foyth (7), CB: Aissa Mandi (7), CB: Pau Torres (6), LB: Alfonso Pedraza (7); CM: Ramon Terrats (6), CM: Dani Parejo (8), CM: Alex Baena (8), RW: Samuel Chukwueze (9), ST: Giovani Lo Celso (8), LW: Yeremi Pino (6),
Substitutes
Jose Luis Morales (7), Alberto Moreno (6), Kiko Femenia (N/A), Johan Mojica (N/A)
Player of the match – Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal)
Credit: 90min.com
