Jude Bellingham scored the 17th goal of the season for Real Madrid in 20 games when the Los Blancos defeated Villarreal in a 4-1 victory on Sunday at Santiago Bernabeu. Real Madrid were hoping to get back to the summit of the La Liga table when the Yellow Submarines visited the capital.

The Los Blancos had the opportunity to go atop of the La Liga table, 1 point ahead of the outstanding Girona FC, who will not play until Monday night when they host Alaves in their own match day 17 fixture.

Real Madrid, fresh from a 4-2 victory over Union Berlin in Germany in the UEFA Champions League that saw them complete the group stage of the competition with a 100% record, started the home time with Jude Bellingham scoring a header from a fantastic Toni Kroos cross just 25 minutes into the game.

Brazilian forward Rodrygo made it 2-0 before the halftime break, while the visitors pulled one back in the second half through Luis Morales in the 54th minute.

Luka Modric completed a fantastic performance with a goal of his own in the 68th minute, four minutes after Brahim Diaz made it 3-1.

Twenty-four hours before the game, Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti anticipated a tough game but knew that his team could win based on the good run they have had so far. 

“We are up against a well-organised, well-prepared team, but we are on a great run, the results reflect that. The atmosphere is good, there’s a good mood around the place, and the players are motivated. We want to finish the first half of the season strongly, we’ve done really well so far. We’ve managed the first part of the campaign well, despite all the problems we’ve had. I don’t know what’s going to happen, but I have faith in the campaign. I’m pleased with what we’ve done to this point, but well aware of what is still to come because it’s a long season – there are still six months to go.” Ancelloti said.

Daniel Ademiju Idowu