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 Perezβs shot against a post.
Madrid top scorer Mbappe lashed in his first from inside the box 10 minutes later, capitalising after goalkeeper Diego Condeβs save from Brahim Diazβs 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 MbappΓ© π
The Frenchman scores his second goal and gives Real Madrid the lead against Villarreal βͺ
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β 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 β including Real Madridβs Vinicius Jr, who was rested from the starting line-up β appearing to offer their opinions strongly.
Bellingham had missed Madridβs 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.
βThis is not good for the game.β ποΈ
Juan Foyth tries to get Jude Bellingham in trouble by going down in dramatic fashion π¬
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β Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) March 15, 2025
Commentators for broadcaster Premier Sports criticised Foyth over the altercation, deriding his actions as βnot good for the gameβ.
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).