Kylian Mbappé strikes after halftime as Villarreal vs Real Madrid live tilts toward the visitors

Real Madrid have edged in front right after the restart, and Villarreal vs Real Madrid live is heating up at the Estadio de la Cerámica. With the match in the second half, Kylian Mbappé’s clinical finish has Los Blancos 1–0 up as the title race tension rises on Saturday, January 24, 2026.

Score & Status — Villarreal vs Real Madrid live

• Status: Live (74’)

• Score: Villarreal 0–1 Real Madrid

• Venue: Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal

Kickoff (Time Zones)

• USA (ET) — Sat, Jan 24, 3:00 PM

• USA (PT) — Sat, Jan 24, 12:00 PM

• Canada (Toronto) — Sat, Jan 24, 3:00 PM

• UK (London) — Sat, Jan 24, 8:00 PM

Live Timeline (Key Moments)

• 1’: Early edge for Madrid as Bellingham wins a free kick; Foyth booked for the hosts.

• 19’: Luiz Júnior denies Arda Güler with a sharp save to his top right.

• 23’: Blow for the Yellow Submarine — Juan Foyth can’t continue; Rafa Marín comes on.

• 38’–40’: Madrid turn the screws: Huijsen’s header blocked, then Vinícius twice close; Villarreal break the rhythm through fouls.

• 45+2’: Halftime at 0–0 after an even, high-tempo half.

• 46’: GOAL! Real Madrid 1–0 — Mbappé arrives at the back post to steer home from close range.

• 50’: Buchanan goes into the book as Vinícius draws another free kick on the left.

• 51’–57’: Real probe for a second; Villarreal respond with set-piece pressure but can’t find a clean look.

• 62’: Franco Mastantuono halted for Madrid as the referee keeps a tight line on fouls in midfield.

• 70’–74’: Villarreal lift the tempo through Parejo and Moleiro, yet Mbappé’s threat in transition keeps the visitors dangerous.

Standout Performers & Turning Points

• Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid): Decisive movement and finish at 46’; already forced a first-half save and had a shot blocked early in the second period.

• Luiz Júnior (Villarreal): Strong first-half stops (notably from Güler and Mbappé) to keep it level before the break.

• Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid): Persistent ball-carrying on the left, drawing fouls and tilting the pitch.

• Turning point: Foyth’s injury at 23’ disrupted Villarreal’s defensive continuity; Madrid capitalized with a fast start to the second half.

Lineups & Shape (if confirmed)

• Real Madrid: High front line with Mbappé central, Vinícius left, Güler floating between the lines; Bellingham and Valverde alternating runs from midfield, Camavinga anchoring.

• Villarreal: Moreno and Mikautadze working the channels ahead of Parejo; Buchanan and Cardona tasked with width, with Luiz Júnior busy behind a back line reshuffled after Foyth’s departure.

Match Stats (if available)

What It Means — Villarreal vs Real Madrid live

Should the visitors see this out, it’s a statement away win that maintains their title pace and keeps pressure at the top heading into the run-in. For Villarreal, a late equalizer would preserve an excellent home record and underline their third-place credentials in a congested LaLiga race. Either way, this fixture is delivering the stakes and intensity expected from two of Spain’s form sides.