Real Madrid extended its La Liga unbeaten streak to 41 games with a comfortable 2–0 victory over Villarreal.
Carlo Ancelotti's side came into Saturday's fixture in desperate need of three points. After only managing a 1–1 draw with Atlético Madrid in La Liga and then losing to Lille in the Champions League, Real Madrid needed to handle business at the Santiago Bernabéu before the October international break.
After a strong start from Villarreal, the defending Spanish champions scored a goal in the 14th minute to settle down the team. Luka Modrić and Federico Valverde executed a set piece straight from the training grounds, completely catching the Yellow Submarine by surprise in the 14th minute. Modrić played a low ball from the corner flag to an unmarked Valverde, who sent a powerful right-footed strike past Diego Conde from 25 yards out.
Kylian Mbappé had a decent chance on the counter-attack to double Real Madrid's lead in the 38th minute, but Conde got just enough on the ball to deny the Frenchman. Los Blancos went into the locker room with a lead for just the third time this season across all competitions.
The second half unfolded without many notable moments for either side until Vinícius Júnior curled in an unstoppable strike from distance to double Real Madrid's lead. Just two minutes after Mbappé came off the pitch, the Brazilian delivered his best moment of the season so far.
Real Madrid collected all three points to keep the pressure on Barcelona atop the table.
