Super Eagles star Samuel Chukwueze's man-of-the-match performance powers Villarreal to victory as they complete a league double over Real Madrid.
Samuel Chukwueze's inspired form under Quique Setien continued, this time against the World Champions, as his two goals led Villarreal to a 3-2 victory over Real Madrid.
Winning a point at the Santiago Bernabeu would be wildly cheered by any team, talk more of Villarreal, but a Chukwueze-fronted charge saw them take maximum points away from one of the most difficult away grounds in world football.
How it happened
Off the back of a romp against their biggest rivals and at home at the Santiago Bernabeu, Los Blancos were favourites to win against Quique Setien's men.
A goal in only the 18th minute of the game further strengthened those sentiments when Pau Torres turned the ball into his own goal to give Carlo Ancelotti's side the lead.
14:20 - 08.04.2023
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However, in the 39th minute, Chukwueze pulled his team level. The Super Eagles winger received the ball from Lo Celso in the box and sold a dummy to Nacho, before smashing the ball past Thibaut Courtois.
Villarreal assumed the driving seat and went close to doubling their advantage, but poor finishing let them down.
Ruthless Madrid punished them for their profligacy upon returning from the break with a well-taken goal by Vinicius, but this did not deter the visitors, who continued to apply themselves.
They got their reward in the 70th minute of the game after Jose Luis Morales pulled the Yellow Submarines level for the second time in the game.
18:51 - 03.04.2023
The rise of Samuel Chukwueze continues with another dazzling Villarreal display
The 23-year-old Samuel Chukwueze is having an excellent season, having scored 11 goals and provided 11 assists across all competitions for Villarreal.
The defining moment will be for Villarreal's Nigerian star, who took responsibility for his team's fate, curling the ball with his favourite left foot into the top left corner, beating the outstretched Courtois.
Real Madrid thought they had downed their visitors' morale once more when they thought they had a penalty in the 84th minute, but following a VAR check, a penalty was not given.
Villarreal were 3-2 winners upon the final whistle, completing a league double against Real Madrid as they beat them 2-1 at the Ceramica.
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