• Long-range screamers help Real Madrid beat Villarreal on Saturday night
  • Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior got on the scoresheet
  • Los Blancos go level on points with Barcelona who play on Sunday

Two stunning strikes from distance helped Real Madrid to a deserved 2-0 victory over Villarreal on Saturday night.

Looking to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona, it was Federico Valverde who found the far corner before Vinicius Junior unleashed a long-range screamer to secure all three points.

Los Blancos are now level on points with Barca, though the Catalan giants face Alaves on Sunday before the October international break.

How the game unfolded

Villarreal rocked up at the Bernabeu hoping to prove their Champions League aspirations, coming into the weekend in third place after five wins and three draws.

However, while they made the opening exchanges difficult for Madrid with some harrying and pressing, it was pure Galacticos quality that helped the hosts take the lead as Valverde struck from distance.

A well-worked set-piece saw Luka Modric find the Uruguay international on the edge of the box and the midfielder showed no restraint in lashing an effort towards goal that flew past Diego Conde into the far corner with the aid of a hefty deflection.

However, the visitors so nearly mustered up an immediate response as they hit the woodwork only a minute later. Nicolas Pepe got up to head a cross against the bar before strike partner Thierno Barry put the next chance wide.

Kylian Mbappe, who's fit despite suffering a recent injury, saw a shot blocked before finding goalscorer Valverde, with the ball eventually winding up with Jude Bellingham. But the England international could only curl narrowly wide.

Makeshift centre-back Aurelien Tchouameni had his heart in his mouth at the start of the second half when he bundled into Barry before the referee's whistle, but the official signalled an offside rather than pointing to the spot.

Alex Baena's free-kick brushed the side-netting before Madrid took firm control of the contest with another goal.

Vinicius was given far too much time and space outside the area and the Brazilian eventually let fly, seeing his arrowed strike smash the back of the net to wrap up the points.

Los Blancos saw out the contest to go level with Barca at the top of the La Liga table, but there was concern at full-time for right-back and vice-captain Dani Carvajal, who was stretchered off with a serious looking injury.