La Liga: Mbappe’s brace fires Real Madrid to 2-1 comeback victory over Villarreal

Kylian Mbappe inspired Real Madrid to reclaim the top spot in La Liga with a crucial 2-1 comeback victory over Villarreal.

The French forward netted twice in quick succession after Juan Foyth had given the hosts an early lead.

Villarreal started brightly, with Ayoze Perez testing Thibaut Courtois twice within the first seven minutes.

Courtois produced a fine save to deny Perez’s curling effort, but from the resulting corner, Foyth capitalized on a goalmouth scramble to put the home side ahead.

Madrid responded swiftly, with Mbappe leading the charge. The star forward struck twice within six first-half minutes, turning the game around and securing all three points for Los Blancos.

The victory moves Real Madrid three points clear of Barcelona, who face third-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday. Meanwhile, Villarreal remain fifth, five points adrift of the Champions League spots after consecutive league defeats.

Mbappe played a through ball to Brahim Diaz and, when his shot was saved by Diego Conde, the Frenchman was on hand to score the rebound.

After netting, Mbappe ran straight back to the centre-circle without celebrating. He meant business and showed it again on 23 minutes.

Following a cutback from the byline, Mbappe was given too much space on the edge of the Villarreal box and used it to curl a shot unstoppably past Conde.

It moves Mbappe to 20 league goals this season, just one behind La Liga top scorer Robert Lewandowski.

Having endured a tough start to life in Madrid, Mbappe has firmly found his feet and will be essential to Real’s push for both La Liga and Champions League success.

He took centre stage here, with usual attacking partner Vinicius Junior starting on the bench following a below-par showing against Atletico in midweek.

Villarreal did push Madrid hard in a fixture which ended 4-4 last season and proved entertaining again here.

Courtois had to go full stretch shortly before half-time to keep out a long-range effort from Nicholas Pepe and again to deny Alex Baena after the break.