Real Madrid 2-0 Villarreal: Valverde and Vinicius fire Los Blancos to a decisive win against the outstanding Yellow Submarine

Vinicius Junior scored a superb long-range strike as Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a 2-0 win over Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday evening.

A deflected long-range shot from Federico Valverde found the bottom corner to give Real Madrid a first-half lead, and Los Blancos should have extended their lead in an opening hour in which Vinicius and the returning Kylian Mbappe caused all sorts of problems for Villarreal.

The third-placed team pushed hard for an equalizer and thought they had a penalty when Aurelien Tchouameni brought down Thierno Barry in the area, only to have the foul avoided by a narrow offside decision.

And the chance of a surprise evaporated when Vinicius picked up the ball in a central position, turned and fired a bolt into the top corner to bring the entire Bernabeu to its feet in thanks.

The only downside to an otherwise excellent evening for Real Madrid came right at the end of stoppage time, when Dani Carvajal was carried off the field in tears after sustaining a serious injury in a challenge with Yeremi for mistiming a free kick Pino out on the sidelines.

The win leaves Carlo Ancelotti's side second, level on points with Barcelona, ​​who play Alaves on Sunday.

Real Madrid's winless week had raised concerns in the pre-match press conference, with coach Ancelotti admitting he lacked intensity.

But there were no such problems against Villarreal as Los Blancos played with a speed and intensity that no opponent can match.

With Ancelotti needing a win to get momentum back into the season, he named his most solid midfield, with Luka Modric and Eduardo Camavinga in the middle as well as Valverde, and this trio ensured the game was moving even in the phases where Villarreal dominated possession and felt under control.

When you have the threats of Vinicius and Mbappé on the counterattack, it's no problem at all to sit back a bit.

Home fans were thrilled to see the name Kylian Mbappe on the squad after his recent injury layoff, but it was Real Madrid's other explosive striker who stole the show on the night with a goal of the highest quality.

Vinicius was completely on his own as he picked up the ball in the Villarreal half, but his shot from distance gave the goalkeeper no chance at all as he fired into the top corner.

That wasn't Vinicius' only strength on the night, as the Brazilian tormented Villarreal on the flanks with his pace and tricks.

Real Madrid: Lunin 7, Mendy 8, Rüdiger 7, Carvajal 8, Tchouameni 7, Modric 9, Camavinga 8, Valverde 9, Bellingham 7, Mbappe 8, Vinicus 9. Substitutes: Militao 7, Rodrygo 6, Guler 6, Vazquez 6

Villarreal: Conde 7, Kiko 5, Costa 7, Albiol 6, Cardona 7, Gueye 7, Comesana 7, Parejo 6, Baena 6, Barry 7, Pepe 6. Subs: Pino 6, Akhomach 6, Bailly 6, Terrats 6, Bernat 6

14' – GOAL! REAL MADRID 1-0 VILLARREAL (VALVERDE)

Oh my God, what a goal this is! Valverde brings the ball towards the goal from a distance and his shot is slightly deflected on the way into the bottom corner. That's an absolute hit and his celebration was also something special as the midfield punched the air with both fists. Pure class. 1:0.

73' – GOAL! REAL MADRID 2-0 VILLARREAL (VINICIUS JR)

What a strike this is! Vinicius Junior grabs the ball in the central area and shoots a tremendous shot into the top corner. This is absolutely incredible. 2:0.

90th minute – INJURY TO CARVAJAL

This doesn't look good at all. Both players are on the ground after a challenge on the sideline and Carvajal screams in pain. His teammates look very worried. Replays show that Villarreal's Pino had actually deflected the ball from Carvajal, who caught him trying to parry a volley, so the Villarreal man is not to blame for this at all. But that has little consequence because at first glance it looks like a very serious injury, possibly to the full-back's knee. The stretcher is on, Carvajal is crying, and it's a sad end to an excellent football game.