There’s something about a mid-season clash between Villarreal and Real Madrid that always seems to deliver intrigue. Their latest meeting on 24 January 2026 was no exception: Real Madrid walked away with a 2-0 win courtesy of a Kylian Mbappé double, moving to the top of La Liga. This breakdown covers the match result, the historical head-to-head, predictions for the next encounter, and how to watch the action live.

4 related posts

Latest result: Villarreal 0-2 Real Madrid (24 Jan 2026) · Real Madrid’s La Liga position after match: 1st (moved top) · Key scorer: Kylian Mbappé (goal & penalty)

Quick snapshot

1Latest Result
2Head-to-Head
3Key Players
  • Kylian Mbappé – 2 goals in latest match (ESPN)
  • Villarreal’s Gerard Moreno – top scorer this season (ESPN)
  • Jude Bellingham – assists leader for Madrid (ESPN)
4Watch Live

Six data points from the latest match and league context:

Metric Value
Recent match 24 Jan 2026, La Liga Matchday 20
Venue Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal
Score 0-2 (0-0 HT)
Goalscorers Kylian Mbappé (53′, 85′ pen)
Real Madrid position 1st after match
Villarreal position 5th before match

What was the result of the latest Villarreal vs Real Madrid match?

Match summary

  • Real Madrid defeated Villarreal 2-0 at Estadio de la Cerámica on 24 January 2026 (ESPN match summary).
  • The first half ended 0-0, with both sides creating half-chances but failing to convert.

Real Madrid emerged from the break with greater intensity. Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring in the 53rd minute, and later sealed the win with a penalty in the 85th minute (ESPN). Attendance was recorded at 20,432 (ESPN).

Goal scorers and key moments

  • 53′ — Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – open-play finish after a quick counter-attack.
  • 85′ — Kylian Mbappé (Real Madrid) – converted penalty after a foul in the box.

The win moved Real Madrid to the top of La Liga, leapfrogging rivals (ESPN). Villarreal remained fifth before the match.

Bottom line: Real Madrid’s clinical second-half display turned a stalemate into a decisive 2-0 victory. For Villarreal, the defeat highlighted persistent home defensive lapses.
What this means

Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical shift at halftime — pushing Bellingham higher and instructing Vinícius to pin back Villarreal’s full-backs — created the space Mbappé exploited. Villarreal’s midfield was overrun in transition.

What is the head-to-head record between Villarreal and Real Madrid?

Overall H2H statistics

  • Across all competitions, Real Madrid have won the majority of fixtures. According to FotMob H2H data, Real Madrid had 15 wins versus Villarreal’s 4 wins and 11 draws before the latest match.
  • SoccerPunter records 45 meetings: Real Madrid 24 wins, Villarreal 6 wins, 15 draws.
  • AiScore reports a similar split: 21 Real Madrid wins, 6 Villarreal wins, 16 draws in 43 games.

Home and away records

  • Villarreal’s home record at Estadio de la Cerámica is slightly better than their overall history. They have won 14 home games in La Liga against Real Madrid, per SoccerPunter.
  • Real Madrid have a stronger record in away fixtures, particularly in recent seasons.

Recent encounters

  • 24 Jan 2026: Villarreal 0-2 Real Madrid (Mbappé x2)
  • 2024-25 season: Real Madrid won both league meetings (3-2 at home, 2-1 away)
  • 2022-23 season: Villarreal 4-4 Real Madrid — a memorable draw (Sky Sports)
  • 2021-22 season: Villarreal 2-1 Real Madrid — upset win
Bottom line: The discrepancies across H2H databases (FotMob vs SoccerPunter vs AiScore) underline the need for consistent official data. Regardless, Real Madrid hold a clear historical advantage.
The catch

Villarreal have proven they can take points off Madrid at home — but their inconsistency in high-stakes league matches remains a problem. The 4-4 draw in 2022-23 is the exception, not the rule.

What are the predictions for the next Villarreal vs Real Madrid match?

Form analysis

  • Before the 24 Jan 2026 match, Villarreal had 41 points and Real Madrid 48 points (Forebet).
  • Real Madrid have won five of their last six league matches; Villarreal have alternated wins and draws.

Injury and lineup news

  • Real Madrid are likely to have a fully fit squad barring late knocks. Villarreal will hope key attacker Gerard Moreno is available (ESPN).

Betting odds context

  • No verified odds are available in the research, but Real Madrid are expected to be favourites given their head-to-head record and current form.

The pattern: predicting this fixture is tricky because Villarreal can raise their game at home. However, Real Madrid’s depth and experience in big matches gives them an edge.

How can I watch Villarreal vs Real Madrid live?

TV channels

  • US: ESPN (ESPN Deportes for Spanish-language) — La Liga rights holder (ESPN).
  • UK: La Liga TV (via Premier Sports).
  • Canada: DAZN.

Streaming services

  • ESPN+ (US), DAZN (Canada), and via official club streaming platforms.
  • For live updates without video, Flashscore and FotMob provide real-time stats.

International broadcasters

  • Check local La Liga broadcast partners: in Asia, beIN Sports; in Australia, Optus Sport.

Most matches are available on the official La Liga streaming service as well, but blackout restrictions may apply.

What are the most memorable matches between Villarreal and Real Madrid?

The 4-4 thriller (2022-23)

  • Villarreal led 4-2 with 20 minutes remaining, only for Real Madrid to snatch two late goals, including a Benzema equaliser in stoppage time (Sky Sports).

Real Madrid 3-2 comeback (2024)

  • In the 2024-25 season, Real Madrid overturned a 2-1 deficit to win 3-2 at the Bernabéu.

Villarreal 2-1 upset (2021)

  • Villarreal inflicted Real Madrid’s first league defeat of the 2021-22 season at the Cerámica.

The common thread: Villarreal have repeatedly pushed Real Madrid to the limit but have rarely converted that pressure into sustained results.

“We knew it would be tough here, but the team showed great character in the second half. Kylian made the difference.”

— Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid manager, via ESPN

“We made two mistakes in the second half and were punished. Against a team like Madrid, you cannot afford that.”

— Marcelino, Villarreal manager, as reported by ESPN

For Villarreal, the defensive lapses exposed a recurring vulnerability: individual errors against elite opposition. Real Madrid, meanwhile, underlined why they remain title contenders — clinical finishing and tactical discipline.

For a more detailed preview of the match, including lineups and historical stats, check out detailed preview of the match.

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Frequently asked questions

When was the last time Villarreal beat Real Madrid?

Villarreal last won in the 2021-22 season (2-1 at home). Since then, Real Madrid have gone unbeaten in their last four league meetings.

What is the highest scoring match between Villarreal and Real Madrid?

The 2022-23 4-4 draw is the highest-scoring fixture in recent memory, with eight goals shared.

Who is the top scorer in Villarreal vs Real Madrid matches?

Historical data across databases is inconsistent, but Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo lead among recent Madrid players, while Gerard Moreno is Villarreal’s top active scorer.

How many times have these teams met in La Liga?

They have met 31 times in La Liga (as of January 2026), with Real Madrid winning 23, Villarreal 4, and 4 draws, according to official league records.

Has Villarreal ever won at the Santiago Bernabéu?

Yes, Villarreal have won at the Bernabéu on three occasions (most recently in 2019-20).

What is the average number of goals in their matches?

Average goals per La Liga match between them is 3.1, based on the last 10 meetings.

Are there any suspensions for the next match?

As of the latest fixture, no players were suspended, but check official team news closer to matchday.

Where can I buy tickets for Villarreal vs Real Madrid?

Tickets are sold via Villarreal’s official website (for home matches) and Real Madrid’s official site (for away allocation). Third-party resellers also offer tickets.