Real Madrid on Sunday cruised to a 4-1 win over Villarreal to move top of La Liga, but their night was tarnished when defender David Alaba seriously injured his knee.
Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti’s side were a point ahead of Catalan minnows Girona, who were to host Deportivo Alaves yesterday hoping to reclaim pole position.
Spain’s top scorer Jude Bellingham broke the deadlock for Madrid with his 13th league goal of the season before Rodrygo Goes doubled their lead.
Photo: AP
Villarreal pulled one back through Jose Luis Morales, but Brahim Diaz scored a superb solo goal to restore Madrid’s advantage.
Luka Modric drove home the fourth as Madrid fans celebrated a sizeable victory in their final home match of the year.
Madrid’s joy was tempered by Alaba’s injury, confirmed by the club in a statement saying the defender needs surgery.
Ancelotti said that Alaba’s injury was “very sad” but praised his team’s performance.
“We think we are doing very well, it was one of our best games,” he said.
The highlight of the night was Diaz’s fine individual strike.
“It’s the kind of move I usually try. Today it went in, so I’m very happy,” Diaz told Real Madrid TV.
“[I’m happy] for the team’s work, we did a great job today and I’m happy for the goal and for the win.”
Former Manchester City midfielder Diaz is striking up a fruitful relationship with Bellingham and Rodrygo in attack.
“We understand each other well, we all get along, because it’s an incredible group, we are very united and you see that on the pitch,” he said.
Ancelotti put his faith in England international Bellingham to take an attacking role this season for Madrid and it is paying off in virtually every match.
The 20-year-old netted his 17th goal across all competitions in his 20th match this season to get the party started after Madrid saw rivals Barcelona, third, held at Valencia on Saturday.
Madrid now have 38 goals in La Liga, equaling Girona’s total as the top scorers to date.
“It’s always good to build an advantage on Barca but there’s a long way to go in the league and we have to continue with this mentality,” Rodrygo said.
Villarreal languish 14th, three points above the relegation zone.
Earlier on Sunday, Real Sociedad and Real Betis Balompie shared the spoils in an intense 0-0 draw in La Liga.
Both teams lost ground on Athletic Bilbao in fifth, while Real Sociedad, placed sixth, trail their Basque rivals by two points, and Betis, seventh, are five points behind Athletic.
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