Saturday's penultimate La Liga clash pitted Real Madrid against Villarreal at the Bernabeu.
Los Blancos led 2-0 after 25 minutes following goals from Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema, but a stunner from Mario Gaspar cut the deficit to 2-1 moments before the half-time interval.
Madrid had their third after 64 minutes through Jese Rodriguez, before Giovani dos Santos made it 3-2 with 20 minutes remaining.
Benzema scored Madrid's fourth less than 10 minutes later as they moved into second in La Liga.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our penultimate live La Liga commentary of the evening comes from the Bernabeu as Real Madrid welcome Villarreal. A four-goal victory in the Spanish capital would move Madrid to the top of the table ahead of Atletico Madrid's trip to Almeria later this evening. In La Liga, Carlo Ancelotti's side have won nine of their 10 matches in this stadium this season.
Villarreal, however, will he hoping to upset the party. The Yellow Submarine currently sit in fifth position in the table on 40 points, but would move into the top four with victory this evening. Their away form has been strong this season with five wins from their 10 matches, but they lost 3-0 on their last visit to the Bernabeu.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Real Madrid have won three of the last five matches, with the further two fixtures ending in draws. The last two meetings have been at El Madrigal, with the points shared on both occasions. However, as mentioned, Madrid won 3-0 when the pair last met in this stadium in October 2011.
TEAMS:
MADRID: Lopez; Carvajal, Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo; Illarramendi, Modric, Di Maria; Jese, Benzema, Bale
VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Dorado, Costa; Edu, Bruno; Aquino, Gomez, Pereira; Giovani
So there we have it. Cristiano Ronaldo is suspended for Madrid, but Gareth Bale returns to the XI. There is also a place in midfield for Illarramendi as Xabi Alonso starts on the bench. Villarreal, meanwhile, are without their leading scorer Uche through injury. However, skipper Bruno returns to the midfield. Right, the away side get the action underway on this mild evening in Madrid. Let's hope for goals!
It must be said that there is a wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. The home supporters will be expecting their side to continue their winning run at the Bernabeu. However, Villarreal come to Madrid having won four of their last five games in the league, scoring 15 times in the process. It is set-up nicely.
Half-chance for Di Maria as the Argentine combines with Carvajal before striking one towards the top corner, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Not too much from Villarreal in the opening minutes with Los Blancos in control of proceedings. Plenty of confidence in Madrid's passing at the moment.
Villarreal continue to look for the threaded balls towards Giovani, but the Mexican has been unable to collect thus far. Benzema makes a run beyond Mario down the other end, but Asenjo is out to collect. End-to-end football in the last few moments with Villarreal prepared to commit numbers in the final third.
GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Villarreal (Bale)
Real Madrid take the lead inside seven minutes as Bale latches onto a poor piece of defending from Dorado before chipping his effort over Asenjo. Brilliant finish from the Welshman, who now has 11 goals for Los Blancos.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Villarreal to level as Giovani finds Pereira inside the Madrid box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Moments later, Bale finds Benzema down the other end, but Mario is on hand to clear.
CHANCE! The opportunities continue to arrive and this time the chance is for Madrid as Bale finds Modric inside the Villarreal box, but his effort is blocked by Dorado. End-to-end football with 12 minutes on the clock. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in the Spanish capital.
It's bright work from Jese as the Madrid winger drives down the left before driving a low cross into the box, but Asenjo is on hand to collect. Bale combines with Carvajal down the other side moments later, but Bruno is across to clear. You just get the feeling that Villarreal need to score the next goal if they are to take something from this match.
Plenty of attacking intent from Villarreal in the opening 17 minutes, but they have been unable to find that elusive pass in the final third. Marcelo appears to have a slight problem moments later as he holds his groin. It seems that the Brazilian will be unable to continue. Coentrao is the likely replacement at left-back.
The end-to-end period of the match continues as Giovani attempts to find Pereira with a sweeping pass, before Bale breaks for Madrid. Los Blancos are indeed forced into a change as Coentrao replaces Marcelo. It does not look too clever for the Brazilian, who could be looking at a period on the sidelines.
Half-chance for the away side as Edu Ramos strikes one from outside the box, but Lopez is on hand to make the save. Madrid are down the other end with Coentrao moments later, but his cross is into the arms of Asenjo. Not too much in terms of clear chances in the last couple of minutes in the Bernabeu.
Villarreal continue to force the issue as Giovani delivers a dangerous corner towards Moi Gomez - it falls for Bruno, but his effort is blocked at the vital moment. Madrid are down the other end with Jese moments later, but Dorado is on hand to clear. The Yellow Submarine are arguably the better team at the moment with 24 minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-0 Villarreal (Benzema)
Real Madrid score their second of the match as Benzema turns a Bale cross into the back of the net from close range. It is harsh on Villarreal, who have had their moments this evening.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments as Dorado dives into the back of Benzema, but the official does not issue a booking despite calls from the Madrid bench. Moments later, Bale strikes one straight at Asenjo from distance.
As it stands, another goal would take Madrid to the top of the table before Atletico Madrid face Almeria later this evening. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments, but Madrid remain in control of the ball. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Benzema remains the target for Madrid as Bale and Jese both look for the Frenchman in quick succession, but Mario is on hand to clear on both occasions. Not too much to report in terms of Villarreal pressure in the last few moments, with that goal damaging their prospects in this match. Little over 10 minutes of the first period remaining.
It's bright work from Aquino as the Mexican drives down the right before delivering a low cross into the box, but Pepe is on hand to clear at the vital moment. The Yellow Submarine threaten with the resulting corner, but Bale is on hand to clear with a towering header.
Half-chance for Gomez as the Villarreal midfielder strikes one from the edge of the box, but Lopez is on hand to make the save. Madrid break down the right moments later with Carvajal, but Bale's through pass towards Di Maria is cleared by Mario.
Possession football from the home side as they continue to pass and probe outside the Villarreal box. Eventually Carvajal drives a low cross into the box, but Mario is on hand to clear at the vital moment. Villarreal are down the other end moments later, but Madrid force the Yellow Submarine to retreat.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last couple of moments, but Villarreal continue to cause problems with crosses into the Madrid box. You just get the feeling that the Yellow Submarine would fancy their chances if they can score the next goal. Little over three minutes of the first period remaining on this mild evening in Madrid.
GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Villarreal (Mario)
Oh my word that is some strike! Stunning effort from Mario as the Villarreal right-back drives towards the Madrid box before releasing one into the top corner. Wow.
SAVE! Di Maria comes close to making it 3-1 as the Argentine strikes one from outside the box, but Asenjo is on hand to make a fine save. It has been a terrific first period in the Spanish capital.
HALF TIME: Real Madrid 2-1 Villarreal
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with Real Madrid leading 2-1. The home side were 2-0 ahead inside 25 minutes following goals from Bale and Benzema, but a stunning strike from Mario cut the deficit to 2-1 in the latter stages of the half.
STATISTICS: The home side have dominated the possession with 57%, but they have had just six attempts to Villarreal's seven. It has been a feisty half in terms of challenges, meanwhile, with the referee issuing three yellow cards.
BENCH WATCH: Los Blancos have a number of attacking options on their bench in the shape of Alvaro Morata, Isco and Xabi Alonso. Meanwhile, Villarreal have the likes of Perbet, Trigueros and Jokic in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of the second period. Just a reminder that a three-goal victory for the home side would take them to the top of the table. Right, Madrid get the second 45 minutes underway in the Spanish capital.
One change for the home side at the interval with Alvaro Arbeloa entering the field in place of Coentrao, who replaced Marcelo in the first period. Hardly ideal for Los Blancos. Villarreal, meanwhile, go with the same XI. Will these Villarreal supporters be celebrating come the end of the second period?...
Aficionados del @VillarrealCF desplazados, VAMOS SUBMARINO !! Gent del terme ! pic.twitter.com/2jSaBCcuVu
— Colectivo Aldeano (@ColectivoAldean) February 8, 2014
Bright start to the second period from Villarreal as Bruno searches out Giovani with a through pass, but Ramos is across to clear the danger. Madrid break down the other end with Arbeloa moments later, but the away side's midfield force them back. You just get the feeling that there are more goals in this match.
Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about in the second period as Villarreal continue to defend in numbers. Di Maria has the chance to test Asenjo after driving down the left, but the Argentine decides to cross and the danger is cleared. The next goal - if there indeed is one - will surely be vital this evening in terms of the final result.
Di Maria remains the main threat for the home side as the Argentine combines with Jese before driving a cross into the box, but Mario is on hand to clear. The end-to-end period continues as Villarreal break with Pereira, but his low cross is into the arms of Lopez. Still 2-1 Real Madrid with 55 minutes on the clock.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side to score their third as Carvajal combines with Modric before striking one towards the bottom corner, but his effort is just wide of the post. Los Blancos have started to raise their intensity in the last couple of moments.
Benzema wants a penalty as the Frenchman is pulled to the ground by Dorado, but the referee is not interested. I have certainly seen them given. Villarreal just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as Jese delivers another dangerous cross. The away side make their first change moments later as Trigueros replaces Edu Ramos.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments as Mario is booked for pulling Jese to the ground in the Villarreal half. Bale breaks down the left moments later, but Costa manages to clear. End-to-end football in the Spanish capital with little less than 30 minutes remaining.
Villarreal make their second change of the evening as Moi Gomez is replaced by Joan Roman, who is currently on loan from the Barcelona B side. The 20-year-old has also previously played for Manchester City. Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the last few moments, but both sides continue to commit numbers in the final third.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal (Jese)
Brilliant, just brilliant from Jese. It is Di Maria with the assist as the Argentine spots the run of Jese, who turns a low effort into the bottom corner with the outside of his foot. Game over?!
Villarreal come close to scoring their second as Bruno finds the run of Giovani, but it just moves away from the Mexican at the final moment. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening. One more goal would take Real Madrid to the top of the table.
Villarreal make their third and final change of the evening as French forward Perbet, who has been among the goals this season, enters the field in place of Pereira. Little over 20 minutes for the experienced striker to make his mark. The home side also make a change as Alonso replaces Di Maria.
GOAL! Real Madrid 3-2 Villarreal (Giovani)
WOW! Some strike from Giovani as the Mexican curls a wonderful free kick into the top corner. Villarreal are not finished in the Spanish capital. What a final 20 minutes we have on our hands.
Suddenly everyone in a yellow shirt wants the ball as Villarreal continue to force the issue in the Madrid half. These celebrations have been cut short...
LIVE: @realmadriden lead @VillarrealCF 2-1, while @sscnapoli & @acmilan are drawn 1-1- http://t.co/SIbFszA1SO pic.twitter.com/u5s3YrqHap
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) February 8, 2014
Half-chance for Jese as the Real Madrid forward finds some space outside the box before firing one towards the top corner, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. You just get the feeling that we have not seen the last of the goals this evening. Both sides continue to force the issue in the final third.
The home side want a penalty as Arbeloa's effort appears to strike the arm of a Villarreal defender inside the box, but the referee is not interested. Los Blancos have a corner moments later, but Ramos is penalised for climbing inside the box. Can Villarreal force an equaliser?
GOAL! Real Madrid 4-2 Villarreal (Benzema)
The home side have their fourth of the evening as Benzema combines with Jese before placing his effort into the bottom corner. Brilliant from the Frenchman, who has scored eight times in his last six home games.
Just a reminder that one more goal, providing Madrid keep Villarreal out, would take the home side to the top of the table. Jese takes matters into his own hands by driving down the left before finding Carvajal, but Villarreal manage to close the space in the final third. Little over 10 minutes of this La Liga clash remaining.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with the home side keeping possession of the ball. Villarreal have been impressive this evening, but have been caught twice on the break in the second period. Just a reminder that following this match we have action from Almeria against Atletico Madrid.
Villarreal continue to push as they build from the back once more, but Giovani cannot find the run of Perbet in the final third. As it stands, Real Madrid would not move into first, but they would move above Barcelona and into second position. Little over five minutes of this contest remaining.
Possession football for the home side as they continue to keep hold of the ball in their own half. It is going to be another three points for Madrid, who are in a wonderful run of form and at the perfect time of the season. One more goal would take them top of the table, for a couple of hours at least.
The home side continue to force the issue with two corners in quick succession, but Dorado and Mario take it in turns to clear the danger. The home supporters are in fine voice, while the away fans also continue to support their side, who have been impressive in Madrid.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional two minutes and we are indeed into the first of those. Comfortable for Los Blancos as they continue to keep the ball in their own half.
FULL TIME: Real Madrid 4-2 Villarreal
So there we have it. Real Madrid move into second in La Liga with a 4-2 win over Villarreal, who remain fifth. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to remain with us for Almeria against Atletico. Until then!
