Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal Player Ratings: Vinicius Junior 9.5/10 Rated as Los Blancos Dominates in 3-1 Win

The Estadio Santiago Bernabéu was treated to a masterclass from Real Madrid, who dispatched a struggling Villarreal side 3-1. The final scoreline perhaps flatters the visitors. It was a game that took a while to ignite after a cagey first half. Both teams seemed to be feeling each other out, with chances few and far between.

However, the second half was a completely different story. Alonso Olano said at halftime that it worked wonders. Vinicius Junior came out with a point to prove, scoring just two minutes after the restart. He was electric. His performance set the tone for a dominant period for the home side.

Villarreal were handed a mountain to climb when Rafa Marín conceded a penalty, which Vinicius coolly converted. A brief flicker of hope emerged for the Yellow Submarine when Georges Mikautadze pulled one back with a fine strike. But their comeback hopes were extinguished when Santiago Mouriño was sent off, and Kylian Mbappé added a third to seal a comprehensive victory in this La Liga encounter. Here are the Real Madrid vs Villarreal player ratings.

Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Villarreal

Here are the Real Madrid player ratings vs Villarreal.

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois - 6.5: A very quiet evening for the Belgian giant. He only had one save to make all game. We noticed he couldn't do much for the goal he conceded. His distribution was tidy as always. An easy day at the office.

Defenders

Éder Militão - 7.0: A typically robust performance from the Brazilian. He was solid at the back, making key clearances and winning his duels. His passing was crisp and accurate, helping build from the back. A no-nonsense display.

Federico Valverde - 7.5: Listed as a defender, but he was everywhere. His energy is just infectious. He bombed up and down the flank, contributing defensively with tackles and also creating a big chance going forward. What an engine.

Álvaro Carreras - 7.0: Looked very assured on the ball. He was involved a lot, with over 100 touches. We were impressed by his defensive work, winning the majority of his duels. He also provided a threat with his crosses.

Dean Huijsen - 7.5: An outstanding performance that surprised us. He was nearly perfect in his passing and won every single duel he contested. He read the game beautifully, making eight clearances. A commanding presence who looks like a future star.

Midfielders

Aurélien Tchouaméni - 7.0: The anchor in midfield. His pass accuracy was an incredible 97%. He protected the defense well, making important recoveries and interceptions. A bit unlucky not to score, but his control of the middle was vital.

Arda Güler - 7.0: The young Turk showed flashes of brilliance. He was always looking to make something happen, taking a few shots and showing great confidence on the ball. It was a promising display before he was substituted in the second half.

Dani Ceballos - 6.5: He kept possession ticking over nicely in the midfield. Drew a couple of fouls with his quick feet. However, from our perspective, he didn't quite impose himself on the game in the final third before being taken off.

Franco Mastantuono - 6.5: A very energetic performance, but it lacked a bit of polish. He worked hard, won his tackles, and drew fouls. On the other hand, he also gave away possession cheaply and picked up a needless yellow card.

Forwards

Vinicius Junior - 9.5: Man of the Match, and it wasn't even close. He was simply unstoppable. Scored two goals, won the penalty for his second, and created five chances for his teammates. He completed 6 dribbles and was a nightmare for Villarreal's defence all night. The highest rated player on the pitch by a country mile.

Kylian Mbappé - 8.5: A fantastic contribution. He provided a clever headed assist for the opening goal and then sealed the win with a goal of his own. His partnership with Vinicius was a joy to watch. A shame his night was cut short by injury.

Substitutes

Brahim Díaz - 7.0: Made an instant impact off the bench. He provided the assist for Mbappé's goal. Looked sharp and dangerous.

Jude Bellingham - 6.5: Came on and immediately got involved, forcing a couple of good saves from the keeper. Didn't have enough time to earn a higher rating.

Rodrygo - N/A: Brought on late for the injured Mbappé, not enough time to make a significant impact.

Manager

X. Alonso Olano - 8.0: His tactics were spot on. The team looked balanced and his halftime team talk clearly worked, as they came out firing. He managed the game perfectly once his team took control. A great day at the office for the manager.

Villarreal Player Ratings vs Real Madrid

Here are the Villarreal player ratings vs Real Madrid.

Goalkeeper

Arnau Tenas - 6.5: Despite conceding three, he made some crucial saves to prevent an even bigger defeat. He made four saves inside the box, a couple of them were top class. He couldn't be faulted for the goals.

Defenders

Rafa Marín - 5.0: A day to forget for the defender. He struggled against the pace of Madrid's attack and his foul for the penalty was clumsy. He was often chasing shadows, a really tough assignment for him.

Renato Veiga - 5.5: He tried to hold the line but was part of a defensive unit that was completely overwhelmed. Lost most of his individual battles. He looked out of his depth against such high-quality opposition.

Santiago Mouriño - 4.0: A disastrous performance. He was given a torrid time by Vinicius Jr. and his frustration boiled over. Earning two yellow cards and leaving his team to play with ten men was unforgivable. Clearly, the worst performer on the pitch.

Sergi Cardona - 5.5: Picked up an early booking and was walking a tightrope for the rest of the match. He was dribbled past three times and struggled to contain Madrid's wing play. A valiant effort but ultimately not enough.

Midfielders

Santi Comesaña - 6.5: The captain led by example with his work rate. He made a staggering 11 ball recoveries, fighting for every loose ball. His effort was immense, even if the quality wasn't always there. A true warrior in a losing cause.

Thomas Partey - 6.0: We expected more from a player of his calibre. He tried to get on the ball but lost possession too frequently. He couldn't dictate the tempo of the game. A somewhat passive performance.

Tajon Buchanan - 5.5: Almost completely invisible in the first half. He offered very little going forward or defensively. It was no surprise to see him substituted at halftime. A disappointing outing.

Pape Gueye - 7.0: One of Villarreal's better players. He provided a smart assist for his team's only goal and looked composed on the ball. He was one of the few who tried to take the game to Madrid. A performance to be proud of.

Forwards

Alberto Moleiro - 6.0: He missed a big chance in the first half that could have changed the game. Showed some nice touches but was ultimately ineffective. Hooked at halftime for a reason.

T. Oluwaseyi - 5.5: A frustrating evening for the striker. He was isolated for large parts of the game and lost the physical battle with Madrid's defenders. He worked hard but had very little service to work with.

Substitutes

Georges Mikautadze - 7.0: What an impact. Came on at halftime and scored a fantastic goal from outside the box. Gave his team a brief moment of hope.

Nicolas Pépé - 6.0: Looked lively after coming on, getting a few shots away. He tried to run at the defence but couldn't find a breakthrough.

Alfonso Pedraza - N/A: Came on late, not enough time to rate.

Adrià Alti - N/A: A late substitute with little time to influence the game.

Dani Parejo - N/A: Introduced late on to see out the match.

Manager

M. García Toral - 5.5: His team was thoroughly outplayed. The halftime changes did bring a goal, which was a positive. However, his defence was poorly organized and unable to cope with Madrid's attacking prowess. A tough day at the office.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match is Vinicius Junior