Madrid, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- The 17th round of the 2023-2024 Spanish Primera Liga season continued on the 17th, with Real Madrid defeating Villarreal 4-1 at home and returning to the top of the standings.
Real Madrid took on the 'submarine' at the Bernabeu, with Jude Bellingham and Rodrygo scoring a goal each in the first half, while Brahim Dias and Luka Modric doubled the lead in the second half. However, Alaba's serious injury cast a shadow over Real Madrid's victory. After this game, Real Madrid surpassed Girona, who had 1 game less, with 13 wins, 3 draws and 1 loss, with 42 points, and temporarily regained the lead in La Liga.
After the opening, Real Madrid opened up in the 25th minute when Luka Modric crossed to goal and Bellingham scored with a header from the edge of the six-yard box. Alaba's injury disrupted Real Madrid's rhythm afterwards, but they did strike again in the 37th minute from a corner when Rodrygo slotted the ball into the bottom left corner of the net from the edge of the six-yard box.
Villarreal pulled one back in the 54th minute when Morales burst into the left side of the box in a quick attack and slotted home. But in the 64th minute, Real Madrid reopened the difference, Dias ran into the penalty area with the ball, shook off the angle near the penalty spot and shot into the goal. In the 68th minute, Real Madrid scored another goal to seal the win, Rodrygo was brought down when he tried to pass in succession in the box, and Modric followed up with a low shot into the bottom left corner of the goal.
In the other matches of the day, Almeria drew 0-0 at home to Mallorca, Real Sociedad drew 0-0 at home to Real Betis and Las Palmas drew 1-1 at home to Cadiz. (ENDS).