Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal result - Vinicius Junior and Kylian Mbappe goals send Xabi Alonso's team top of La Liga

Vinicius Junior scored twice and Kylian Mbappe added a third goal as Real Madrid brushed past Villarreal 3-1 to return to the top of La Liga – at least for one night.

Vinicius brought a lacklustre game to life shortly after the interval, beating his marker with ease before firing home the opening goal, and doubled the Madrid advantage with a penalty he won himself.

The visitors, who kicked off only two points behind Madrid, pulled a goal back through the impressive substitute Georges Mikautadze, but then went down to 10 players as Santiago Mourino received a second booking for cynically fouling Vinicius.

The game was effectively over from that moment, but Mbappe scored a tap-in to secure the Madrid win.

The only worry for the hosts was that Mbappe limped off shortly afterwards, with an apparent foot injury.

Madrid are two points clear of Barcelona, who have a game in hand and play on Sunday, while Villarreal remain third.

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Real Madrid are back on top of La Liga after an impressive, and fairly routine in the end, win. Vinicius was the star man with his two goals, while Villarreal will rue the red card which effectively ended any hopes of a comeback.

They stay third, Madrid go two points above Barcelona, who play on Sunday.

Rodrygo looks to be felled by a combination of defenders, but play carries on. If it were not 3-1, that would be a flashpoint.

Bellingham flashes a cross through the box as Madrid chase a fourth goal.

Bellingham gallops forward, plays the ball to Brahim and he shoots when team-mates wanted a cross.

Not for the first time, Veiga makes a great block.

On the volley, twisted and 25 yards out, Mikautadze hits one really well but sees the ball fly narrowly over.

Parejo is on for Comesana and all wind has gone out of Villarreal's sails.

Mbappe is down and having his foot looked at. Rodrygo is being readied so it must be something.

Now it's over!

Bellingham wins the ball back in the opposition half, Mbappe plays a one-two with Brahim and has an open goal when he gets the ball back, so duly slots home. A ninth La Liga goal of the season already for Mbappe.

A cross runs through the Villarreal box and all the way to Vinicus, who is twice denied a hat-trick – first by the legs of Marin, then by the legs of Tenas.

Mourino, already booked, pulls back Vinicius very cynically on the touchline and is shown a second yellow.

Zero doubt about that and Villarreal's task just got even harder.

Mastantuono makes way for Brahim. Another solid showing from the 18-year-old.

Pedraza has also replaced Gueye for the visitors.

Well then.

Madrid are caught on a Villarreal break. Without numbers back, there is space for Mikautadze to collect the ball at the top of the box and lash home. Game back on.

Madrid are really playing now and twice in quick succession Bellingham is denied by Tenas.

With advantage being played after Camavinga is scythed down, Vinicius reaches a through ball first and looks to be caught by the goalkeeper. Nothing given.

Vinicius takes, having won the penalty, and scores – just.

Tenas guesses right, but the penalty is so far from the corner that the goalkeeper cannot get his arm down quick enough and the ball squirms under him.

Vinicius receives the ball in space on the left wing, dribbles into the box and then draws a foolish tackle from Marin.

Penalty given, and there will be no VAR reprieve.

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Guler makes way for him. Camavinga is also coming on, for Ceballos, and will play a bit deeper.