rewrite this title Villarreal 1-2 Real Madrid: Report, result, goals as Mbappe scores before Bellingham controversy

Kylian Mbappe took his tally to 31 goals in all competitions in his first season at Real Madrid by scoring twice as the visitors came from behind at Villarreal and moved three points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga.

Former Tottenham full-back Juan Foyth put The Yellow Submarine ahead after seven minutes, striking from close range shortly after Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois had brilliantly turned Ayoze Perez’s shot against a post.

Madrid top scorer Mbappe lashed in his first from inside the box 10 minutes later, capitalising after goalkeeper Diego Conde’s save from Brahim Diaz’s effort fell to him.

The marquee summer signing turned the scoreline around after 23 minutes, curling in classily from the edge of the box in the culmination of a long and fluid counter-attack.

Fine finish by Kylian Mbappé 👏

The Frenchman scores his second goal and gives Real Madrid the lead against Villarreal ⚪

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @SBK | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/TKIU8jSrWk

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 15, 2025

Jude Bellingham v Juan Foyth: What happened?

Foyth was involved in a curious flashpoint with Jude Bellingham in the 60th minute, when the 2022 Fifa World Cup winner with Argentina went to ground theatrically and appealed for the England international to be punished.

A Video Assistant Referee review took place, with members of both squads – including Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, who was rested from the starting line-up – appearing to offer their opinions strongly.

Bellingham had missed Madrid’s previous league away game as part of a three-match red-card suspension, having been dismissed during the first half of the 1-1 draw at Osasuna on February 15 for a remark he made to the referee.

“This is not good for the game.” 🎙️

Juan Foyth tries to get Jude Bellingham in trouble by going down in dramatic fashion 😬

𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 @SBK | 18+ | 𝑃𝑙𝑒𝑎𝑠𝑒 𝐺𝑎𝑚𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑅𝑒𝑠𝑝𝑜𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑙𝑦 pic.twitter.com/ugh6fGe40b

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 15, 2025

Commentators for broadcaster Premier Sports criticised Foyth over the altercation, deriding his actions as “not good for the game”.

The 27-year-old was later booked for a foul on Vinicius Jr, who had been introduced as a second-half substitute.

Mbappe Real Madrid stats

Mbappe has now scored two hat-tricks and three braces since joining Madrid following the expiry of his Paris Saint-Germain contract.

The 26-year-old is one goal behind Liga top scorer Robert Lewandowski, who has 21 in the top flight and whose side remain a point above third-placed Atletico Madrid in the table.

Barcelona, who have two games in hand on Madrid, visit Atleti, who have one, on Sunday (8pm GMT). Madrid are next in action at home to third-bottom Leganes on March 29 (8pm).