Real Madrid somewhat recovered from their heavy defeat in the city derby against Atletico last weekend (5:2) on Tuesday in distant Kazakhstan against Kairat (0:5), and tonight they definitely recovered from that shock.
Xabi Alonso's team defeated Villarreal at home (3:1) and moved into first place. The outcome of tomorrow's Sevilla - Barcelona clash will also determine whether they will go into the championship break from the top position. Real have a point and a game in hand.
All four goals at the Santiago Bernabeu were scored in the second half, with Vinicius Junior playing the main role.
As soon as the second half began, the Brazilian, with a lot of luck, broke through the "yellow submarine" with a deflected ball after his shot.
Then in the 69th minute he won and converted a penalty, and then, after a nice goal by Mikautadze for 2:1, he definitely closed the game - he won the expulsion of Uruguayan Murino, who fouled him both times with yellow cards.
Villarreal, with one player less, had no chance, even though they had an active 1:2.
However, only four minutes, as Kylian Mbappe, on a selfless pass from Brahim Diaz, slotted the ball into an empty net in the 83rd minute for the final 3:1.
The Frenchman's ninth goal in La Liga this season puts him first on the scorers' list. He is followed by Atletico Madrid's Julián Alvarez with six.
Earlier today, Levante defeated Oviedo 2-0 away, Girona beat Valencia 2-1 at home, and Athletic Bilbao defeated Mallorca at San Mames with the same result.
Bonus video:
