The goal is the best argument
Sometimes football is that simple. No matter how much noise there is outside, if you put the ball inside, everything changes. That’s what Real Madrid did this Saturday. With a double from Kylian Mbappé, the white team beat Villarreal 2-0 and returned to sit on the throne of La Liga.
Barcelona now needs to win this Sunday to regain first place. But the credit goes to Madrid, which has remained there, fighting, despite not giving its best version.
A triumph that calms (somewhat) the waters
The last few weeks have been turbulent in Valdebebas. The dismissal of Xabi Alonso after losing the Super Cup and the subsequent elimination in the Cup against a Second Division team with Álvaro Arbeloa on the bench ignited the fans.
There were clear protests during the last two home games.
But football has these things. A defeat for Barça last day opened a window. And Arbeloa, with three wins in a row already, has known that the only thing that heals wounds are results.
Mbappé was key. He took advantage of a failed clearance to score at the beginning of the second half and closed the game from the eleven meters after a foul on him. They are his 20th and 21st goals in the league this season.
Villarreal, with Pape Gueye back after his exploits with Senegal, had their chances, but it was not enough. He even lost his defender Juan Foyth to injury in the first half.
The other side of the coin: controversy and low table
While Madrid celebrates, others are experiencing bitter moments. Espanyol still cannot raise its head after a controversial defeat against Valencia. A much-discussed penalty in stoppage time took a point away from them.
The VAR review did not overturn the decision, even though it seemed clear that Beltrán collided with Sánchez before falling.
Below, the fight not to descend is burning. Sevilla broke a bad streak by beating Athletic, and Osasuna also added three points. The difference between eighth and seventeenth place is only four points. It’s going to be a battle until the end.
Before all the matches of this day, a minute of silence was observed for the victims of the tragic train accidents that occurred this week in Spain.
