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Valverde and Vinícius Strike as Real Madrid Beat Villarreal 2-0

Explore the thrilling match where Valverde and Vinícius propelled Real Madrid to a 2-0 win against Villarreal. Get insights and highlights now.

Introduction:

Real Madrid showed their class in the match of the day at the Bernabéu as they strolled past third-placed Villarreal 2-0, going into the international break with an improved unbeaten run in the La Liga. Carlo Ancelotti’s side won two quality goals from outside the box-the first courtesy of Federico Valverde and the other by Vinícius Júnior-to seal three points from this closely contested game. While the victory guaranteed the superiority of Madrid, it had brought an expense: Dani Carvajal hurt himself in the final play of the game.
See also: Real Madrid Held to 1-1 Draw by Resilient Las Palmas in LaLiga Thriller

Valverde’s Masterclass Payoff

Real Madrid started off the match with intensity and made sure everyone knew exactly what it had planned. The first goal was a set piece, very well rehearsed, but did show Ancelotti is genius within his technical department.

Valverde
Image Source: Real Madrid

By the 15th minute, Luka Modrić got to whip in a quick corner, and Jude Bellingham very intelligently let it roll past him while leaving the Villarreal defense in a disarray. At the edge of the box, Federico Valverde crashed a first-time acrobatic shot that deflected off the leg of Villarreal’s Álex Baena and left keeper Diego Conde helpless. It was perfect combination of precision and power as Madrid now enjoyed an early lead.
See also: Lewandowski’s Hat-Trick Fires Barcelona to a 3-0 Win Over Alavés in La Liga

Valverde
Image Source: Real Madrid

Villarreal’s Close Call and Madrid’s High Press

Three minutes after Madrid’s opening goal, Villarreal were nearly square with the scoreboard. A header by Pepe Reina, after Yeremi Pino had crossed in, looked a gimme goal, but it rattled off the crossbar and out to the home fans’ great relief.

Valverde
Image Source: Real Madrid

Real Madrid continued to tighten the noose around the game, with sustained high-pressure forces suffocating Villarreal’s build-up play from the back. That led to several chances and one of the best came in the 31st minute when Eduardo Camavinga gained possession in midfield. He promptly handed over the ball to Vinícius Júnior, who glided past the challenger Kiko Femenía and a low shot went past Diego Conde from under his feet.

Valverde
Image Source: Real Madrid

Ancelotti’s side remained a danger on set pieces. It was only minutes after that Modrić found a pinpoint free-kick to his man Antonio Rüdiger, whose header skimmed over the crossbar. Then, in the 39th minute, Kylian Mbappé faced the whole Villarreal goal after a brilliant link-up with Vinícius Júnior, but the Villarreal goalkeeper rushed off his line to block the shot.

Valverde
Image Source: Real Madrid

Vini Jr.’s Wondergoal Seals the Game

The second half of the game turned out less explosive as both teams hardly found significant clear-cut opportunities. Villarreal tried everything to break down Madrid’s defensive lines, but it failed. But that was when the moment of brilliance came by Vinícius Júnior in the 70th minute.

At the edge of the box receiving the ball, a Brazilian cut inside and unleashed a curling shot that sent it to the upper corner out of Conde’s grasp. The Bernabéu erupted in celebrations, given that the lead was to be doubled for Madrid and essentially sealed the game from any further attempts by Krasnodar.

Valverde
Image Source: Real Madrid

Vinícius’ goal was a reminder of his growing influence and confidence for the attack in Madrid, a player who is highly capable of game-changing moments when his team needs him most.

Injuries to Carvajal

While the win was welcome, victory was diminished by the injury to Dani Carvajal, who suffered in the dying embers of the game. The Spanish right back, who has been quiet for most of the match, fell awkwardly in injury time and was carried off on a stretcher. The Bernabéu faithful gave him a standing ovation but Ancelotti will worry about how serious the blow is as Madrid’s schedule picks up pace after the international break.

Valverde
Image Source: Real Madrid

Madrid’s Unbeaten Run Extended

This win gave Real Madrid an extension of their unbeaten run in the La Liga to a phenomenal 41 matches at all, which included 30 wins and 11 draws. The win also comes in a very timely manner for the Ancelotti men, who are now off on international break. Despite their spirited play, Villarreal was unable to crack Madrid’s resolute defense or convert any of their relatively few opportunities.

Valverde
Image Source: Real Madrid

Conclusion

It was evident how much tactical brilliance Carlo Ancelotti brought into the game, and for stars like Valverde and Vinícius Júnior, it’s clear they’re showing the world their individual brilliance. Now that they seemed to capitalize on set pieces and their pressing game would explain why they are still one of the best in Europe, but looking forward, an injury to Carvajal will be a concern as Madrid prepares for even tougher tests after the break.

Author

  • Ideapot

    Welcome to my world! I'm Goutam Kumar Dutta, the brains behind this platform. As an author and the proud owner of this site, I'm on a mission to bring you the latest and most intriguing sports news from various genres. But it's not just about sports - entertainment in all its forms also captivates my interest. Whether it's analyzing the latest match or delving into the world of entertainment, I strive to provide comprehensive coverage and valuable insights.

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