BARCELONA: Samuel Chukwueze upstaged Vinicius Junior by scoring twice in an outstanding performance by the Villarreal forward to lead their 3-2 comeback win at Real Madrid in the Spanish league on Saturday.
The Nigeria international canceled out a sixth-minute own goal by teammate Paul Torres when he juked past Nacho Fernandez to score his first goal in the 39th minute.
Vinicius put Madrid back in front shortly after halftime after he eluded a pack of defenders, but Chukwueze made a pass that led to substitute Jose Morales’ equalizer in the 70th. He then struck the 80th-minute winner from long range to stun the Santiago Bernabeu.
Madrid’s first home loss in the domestic league comes four days before they host Chelsea in the Champions League quarterfinals.
Barcelona can move 15 points clear of second-placed Madrid if they beat Girona on Monday.
Needing an unlikely meltdown by Barcelona to get back in the domestic title race, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti rested several regulars for the Chelsea game. Luka Modric remained on the bench along with Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal.
Ancelotti said his team would make a better showing against Chelsea.
“We should have defended better, but it was difficult for us to be 100 percent motivated,” Ancelotti said. “Wednesday will be different. On Wednesday we will be full on.”
Quique Setien’s Villarreal, who beat Madrid at home 2-1 this season, moved into fifth place at four points from Real Sociedad in fourth and the last Champions League spot.
DRIBBLING DUEL
Chukwueze, 23, and Vinicius, 22, are among the best dribblers in the league, and their skills at tormenting defenders were on full display.
A pass by Vinicius was turned into his own net by Torres to put Madrid ahead early. And three minutes after halftime with the score 1-1, the Brazil forward manufactured a goal all on his own.
Vinicius looked hemmed in when he received the ball outside the area with four defenders surrounding him. But a quick change of pace, some fancy footwork, and a nutmeg to slip by defender Aissa Mandi left him facing Pepe Reina, who he beat for his 21st goal this season.
Chukwueze had never won before at Madrid, but he knows how to score big goals. His late goal allowed Villarreal to upset Bayern Munich to reach last year’s Champions League semifinals.
But his game at Madrid topped that.
Chukwueze responded to the own goal by Torres when he received a pass from Giovani Lo Celso inside the box. A slick change of foot caused Nacho Fernandez to stumble the wrong way before Chukwueze curled a left-footed shot around Thibaut Courtois.
Chukwueze pulled Villarreal back again late when he dribbled between Fernandez and Dani Ceballos before passing to Alejandro Baena, who laid off for substitute Morales to score.
His best effort came, however, when he dribbled across the edge of the area before unleashing a strike that dipped over a diving Courtois into the far corner.
Chukwueze described his winner as “a crazy great goal.”
The forward has 13 in all competitions and seven goals in his last five league games. (AP)
