Real Madrid thrashed Villarreal 4-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu to go top of the La Liga table to move 7-points clear of Barcelona.
Los Blancos drew 1-1 last weekend against Real Betis and needed a big performance against the Yellow Submarines, and with a win against them they now have 42 points, one more than Girona, who host Alaves on Monday.
Madrid opened the scoring in the 25th minute through Jude Bellingham after Luka Modric’s first-time cross found La Liga’s top scorer, who headed past goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.
Ancelotti’s side doubled their lead in the 37th minute after Rodrygo scored from a close-range strike from Modric’s corner. The goal was ruled out at first by the linesman, but VAR overturned the decision.
Jude Bellingham and Luka Modric star for Real Madrid in Villarreal win
Jose Morales pulled a goal back for Villarreal in the second half after a tidy finish after a counter-attack. However, Madrid extended their lead through Brahim Diaz in the 64th minute. Four minutes later, Modric got on the scoresheet, striking a loose ball inside the box.
Jude Bellingham scored his 13th goal of the season in La Liga. He has now scored 17 goals in all competitions this season, which is remarkable considering he is just 20-years-old.
Despite Modric being unhappy about his game time and rumours of him leaving the club after this season, he has shown how important he can be.
The 38-year-old has also become the oldest player to score and assist in a game in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
David Alaba suffers ACL injury
In the 35th minute of the game, Real Madrid defender David Alaba suffered an ACL injury and will be now sidelined for the rest of the reason.
This is Los Blancos’ third player to suffer a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury this season, as centre-back Eder Militao and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois are already out.
“I haven’t spoken to him,” said Ancelotti. “The medical report says he has an ACL tear. It’s a shame, we are very sad because another player is out. I’ve never had three ACL tears in just a few months.”
