Jude Bellingham stars again as Real Madrid dismantle Villarreal and move atop LaLiga

Goals from Jude Bellingham, Rodrygo, Brahim Diaz and Luka Modric helped Real Madrid secure a resounding 4-1 victory over Villarreal as they displaced Girona at the top of the LaLiga standings on Sunday.

Luis Morales got the lone strike for the away side, but it did little to change proceedings, as Real Madrid were at their best and controlled the contest.

Bellingham opened the scoring the 25th minute after heading home a Luka Modric cross from roughly six yards out. It was the 20-year-old’s 17th goal of the season in 20 games as his astonishing debut campaign rolls on.

Rodrygo doubled the lead in the 37th minute from a corner. The ball ricocheted around before falling for him to tap into a gaping net. The Brazilian is in fine form at the moment with that strike marking his eighth goal in as many games.

Real Madrid had assumed a commanding 2-0 lead at half-time but it took just 10 minutes for that to be halved when Luis Morales pulled one back. Three direct passes allowed Morales to carry the ball into the box to slot past Andriy Lunin.

However, Los Blancos quickly regained control of the match through Brahim Diaz in the 64th minute, who fired low into the right corner to restore the two-goal advantage. He produced great work in the build-up to sell the defender before cutting inside.

The result was then sealed just moments later in the 68th minute when Modric used his experience to know where to be after a white shirt was dispossessed to fire low into left corner.

LaLiga standings after the result

After 17 matches, Los Blancos have 13 wins, three draws and one defeat whilst they’ve got 42 points on the board and lead second-placed Girona by one point.

Girona will have a chance to respond by reclaiming the top spot on Monday, December 18, against Deportivo Alaves. If Girona win the game by four goals, Deportivo Alaves will drop below Villarreal into 14th place.