Bart DHanis
Latest update:
Real Madrid has done good business in the pursuit of Girona. Carlo Ancelotti's team was too strong for Villarreal 4-1 in their own Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Brahim Díaz and Luka Modric were responsible for Madrid's goal production. José Luis Morales scored on behalf of Villarreal.
After a very dominant opening, Real deservedly took the lead after 25 minutes of play. Modric delivered a razor-sharp cross to the head of Bellingham, who scored his thirteenth of the season with his head.
David Alaba has gone off injured for Real Madrid and it's not looking good…
pic.twitter.com/26o2ex42iq— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) December 17, 2023
After thirty minutes of play, disaster struck for Real defender David Alaba. The 31-year-old Austrian injured his knee and his facial expression showed that it was a serious injury. Alaba is captain of Austria, which will play in the group against the Dutch team at the 2024 European Championship. It remains to be seen how serious the injury is.
Shortly after Alaba's injury, Real took a 2-0 lead. The ball fell from a corner into the ball at the feet of Lucas Vázquez, who laid it ready for Rodrygo. The Brazilian did not hesitate and successfully pulled the trigger.
Early in the second act, Villarreal got back into the match. A good attack, face-to-face with Real goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, was nicely completed by striker José Luis Morales.
The visitors' goal was soon worthless. After 64 minutes of play, Brahim Díaz launched a solo just over the opponent's half. He dribbled into Villarreal's box and finished neatly: 3-1.
A few minutes later, Villarreal fumbled in the build-up, allowing Rodrygo to take over possession deep in the opposing half. He prepared for Modric, who also contributed: 4-1.
| No. | Team | M | W | G | V | +/- | Pnt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Real Madrid | 17 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 27 | 42 |
| 2 | Girona | 16 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 18 | 41 |
| 3 | Barcelona | 17 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 12 | 35 |
| 4 | Atlético Madrid | 16 | 11 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 34 |
| 5 | Athletic Club | 17 | 9 | 5 | 3 | 14 | 32 |
| 6 | Real Sociedad | 17 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 11 | 30 |
| 7 | Real Betis | 17 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 2 | 27 |
| 8 | Getafe | 17 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 25 |
| 9 | Las Palmas | 17 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 25 |
| 10 | Valencia | 17 | 5 | 5 | 7 | -4 | 20 |
| 11 | Rayo Vallecano | 17 | 4 | 8 | 5 | -7 | 20 |
| 12 | Osasuna | 17 | 5 | 4 | 8 | -7 | 19 |
| 13 | Alaves | 16 | 4 | 4 | 8 | -6 | 16 |
| 14 | Villarreal | 17 | 4 | 4 | 9 | -10 | 16 |
| 15 | Real Mallorca | 17 | 2 | 9 | 6 | -6 | 15 |
| 16 | Cadiz | 17 | 2 | 8 | 7 | -10 | 14 |
| 17 | Seville | 16 | 2 | 7 | 7 | -4 | 13 |
| 18 | Celta de Vigo | 17 | 2 | 7 | 8 | -9 | 13 |
| 19 | Granada | 17 | 1 | 5 | 11 | -17 | 8 |
| 20 | Almeria | 17 | 0 | 5 | 12 | -22 | 5 |
More news
More sports news
