Real Madrid left Estadio de la Cerámica with all three points on 24 January 2026 after Kylian Mbappé struck twice in a 2-0 win over Villarreal CF. Both clubs confirmed their starting lineups roughly an hour before kickoff, with the XI listings holding firm across the official club release, Sky Sports match sheets, and ESPN’s game data.
Match Date: 24 January 2026 · Venue: Estadio de la Cerámica, Villarreal · Competition: La Liga · Confirmed Lineups Available: Yes (Real Madrid official site, Sky Sports)
Quick snapshot
- No primary Villarreal club-source page confirmed independently in results
- Villarreal formation in the official match sheet vs. pre-match predictions
- Exact referee assignment not verified in available data
- Real Madrid move up in the La Liga table with the win (ESPN match data)
- Next fixture: Real Madrid vs Villarreal at Bernabéu on 11 January 2026 (Managing Madrid fixture announcement)
What are the Villarreal CF vs Real Madrid lineups for today?
Real Madrid’s club website published its confirmed starting XI roughly an hour before the 21:00 CET kickoff on 24 January 2026. The listing named 11 players and matched across the official release, Sky Sports match sheets, and ESPN’s game data. Federico Valverde captained the side from midfield.
Real Madrid confirmed starting XI
The confirmed Real Madrid lineup featured: Thibaut Courtois in goal; Federico Valverde, Raúl Asencio, Dean Huijsen, and Álvaro Carreras in defense; Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Güler, and Jude Bellingham in midfield; and Franco Mastantuono, Vinícius Júnior, and Kylian Mbappé up front (Real Madrid club announcement, Sky Sports match center). The substitute bench included Lunin, Sergio Mestre, Carvajal, Alaba, Rodrygo, Gonzalo, Ceballos, Fran García, Brahim, Diego Aguado, and Cestero.
One notable squad decision involved Aurélien Tchouaméni, who was suspended for the match after accumulating a yellow card in the previous game against Levante (Managing Madrid squad report). Managing Madrid also reported that Rodrygo had returned to the matchday squad after a spell on the sidelines.
Source verification
Real Madrid’s official site served as the primary tier-1 source for the XI confirmation. Sky Sports provided a cross-check with the same player names and positions, and ESPN’s match data recorded all 11 starters. The lineup was consistent across these three independent records.
Villarreal confirmed starting XI
Sky Sports listed Villarreal’s starting XI as: Luiz Júnior in goal; Pau Navarro, Juan Foyth, Renato Veiga, and Alfonso Pedraza in defense; Tajon Buchanan, Dani Parejo, Pape Gueye, and Alberto Moleiro across midfield; and Gerard Moreno with Georges Mikautadze up front (Sky Sports match center). The bench included Sergi Cardona, Ayoze Pérez, Tani Oluwaseyi, Nicolas Pépé, Thomas Partey, Rafa Marín, Arnau Tenas, and Carlos Macià.
Transfermarkt’s match sheet recorded Villarreal’s formation as 4-4-2, which aligned with the positional listing from Sky Sports (Transfermarkt match sheet). No primary Villarreal club-source confirmation page appeared in the available search results, so the Sky Sports match sheet served as the primary verification for the Yellow Submarine’s lineup.
Formation analysis
Both sides operated in a 4-4-2 shape on paper, but the tactical deployment differed in practice. Real Madrid’s front three of Mbappé, Vinícius Júnior, and Mastantuono pressed high and looked to exploit space behind Villarreal’s wide midfielders, while Bellingham operated as a false-nine at stages. Sports Illustrated had predicted Real Madrid would use a 4-3-3 before kickoff, and the actual deployment showed more fluidity than a rigid system (Sports Illustrated match preview).
Prediction accuracy
AS and Managing Madrid both predicted Real Madrid’s XI correctly, naming Camavinga in midfield and Carreras at left-back before the official release. For Villarreal, Sky Sports’ final XI matched the match sheet more closely than pre-match projections that treated some roles as tentative.
What were the recent scores between Villarreal and Real Madrid?
The 24 January 2026 result extended a pattern of high-scoring encounters between these clubs in recent seasons. Historical results cited in search data included a Real Madrid 3-2 win, a Villarreal 2-1 win, and a memorable 4-4 draw. The 0-2 scoreline on this occasion marked a tighter defensive display from Real Madrid compared to those earlier goal-heavy matches.
Mbappé’s brace decided the match decisively. The French forward opened the scoring in the 47th minute and sealed the result from the penalty spot in the 90+4th minute (ESPN match data). The late penalty came after a Villarreal foul inside the box, and Mbappé converted coolly to deny the hosts any hope of a comeback.
The implication
Real Madrid’s ability to keep a clean sheet at Estadio de la Cerámica—traditionally a difficult venue—reflects the defensive solidity that Courtois brings back between the posts after his injury layoff. For Villarreal, the loss leaves them with questions about their defensive shape against top-tier opposition.
What are the key statistics for the Villarreal vs Real Madrid matchup?
The confirmed lineups and match data produce several concrete data points for this encounter. Real Madrid named 11 starters with no injuries to key players (other than Tchouameni’s suspension), while Villarreal’s squad featured experienced campaigners like Parejo alongside younger talents like Moleiro and Mikautadze.
Transfermarkt’s independent match sheet confirmed the formation assignment for both sides (Transfermarkt match sheet). Yahoo Sports provided the international kickoff time: 9 p.m. local in Villarreal, 3 p.m. ET in the United States, and 12 p.m. PT on the West Coast (Yahoo Sports broadcast schedule).
The data shows two clubs that lined up similarly in shape but deployed their personnel differently. Real Madrid’s three forwards pushed high and forced errors, while Villarreal’s midfield quartet—anchored by Parejo—tried to control possession without creating clear chances.
| Metric |
Real Madrid |
Villarreal |
| Formation |
4-4-2 (fluid front three) |
4-4-2 |
| Goalkeeper |
Thibaut Courtois |
Luiz Júnior |
| Key Attacker |
Kylian Mbappé (2 goals) |
Gerard Moreno |
| Suspension |
Aurélien Tchouaméni |
None reported |
| Final Score |
2 |
0 |
Real Madrid’s attacking trio delivered both goals, meaning the forward line compensated for the missing midfield presence of Tchouaméni. For fantasy managers and bettors, the data reinforces that Real Madrid’s front three remains the highest-value attacking cluster in La Liga even without a traditional number 10.
How can I watch Real Madrid vs Villarreal live?
The match kicked off at 21:00 CET (9 p.m. local time) at Estadio de la Cerámica on 24 January 2026 (Real Madrid club announcement, Managing Madrid match preview). For viewers in the United States, Yahoo Sports reported the start time as 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT (Yahoo Sports broadcast schedule). La Liga matches in the US typically air on ESPN platforms, and the match page confirmed ESPN as the primary English-language broadcaster for this fixture.
Sky Sports published its match center with confirmed lineups, live score updates, and match stats, serving UK audiences with the same level of detail as the official club release (Sky Sports match center). ESPN’s match data recorded the final score and goal scorers, providing a permanent record for anyone who missed the live broadcast.
Broadcast access
ESPN holds the primary rights for La Liga coverage in the United States, making its platforms the go-to destination for English-language viewers. Sky Sports serves a similar role for UK audiences seeking detailed match coverage and statistical breakdowns.
What is the head-to-head record between Villarreal and Real Madrid?
Based on historical data cited across editorial sources, the head-to-head record between these clubs has featured high-scoring encounters in recent seasons. Results mentioned in the research included wins for both sides and a 4-4 draw that stands out as one of the most entertaining meetings between them. The 0-2 result on 24 January 2026 represents Real Madrid’s third different winning margin across recent meetings, alongside the 3-2 and 2-1 victories.
Managing Madrid noted that Real Madrid entered the match in competitive form, with the squad depth allowing for a strong lineup despite Tchouaméni’s suspension (Managing Madrid squad report). The next meeting between these clubs is scheduled for 11 October 2026 at the Bernabéu.
The pattern
Real Madrid have won three of the most recent four meetings by varying margins, but the occasional upset (like the 2-1 Villarreal win) shows that the Estadio de la Cerámica remains a venue where the home side can trouble even the league’s top clubs.
Match Day Timeline
- 23 January 2026: Managing Madrid flagged Tchouaméni’s suspension and previewed the squad for the Villarreal match (Managing Madrid squad report). Multiple outlets published predicted lineups.
- 24 January 2026: Real Madrid published its official starting XI on the club website. Sky Sports posted the match-day lineups page with both teams. The match kicked off at 21:00 CET.
- 47th minute: Kylian Mbappé opened the scoring for Real Madrid (ESPN match data).
- 90+4th minute: Mbappé converted a penalty to make it 2-0 (ESPN match data).
- 11 October 2026: Return fixture scheduled at Santiago Bernabéu.
What We Know vs What We Don’t
Confirmed
- Real Madrid squad list from the official club site with all 11 starters and bench players
- Sky Sports match sheet with Villarreal’s starting XI and substitutes
- Match date, venue, kickoff time, and final score from ESPN
- Mbappé scored at 47′ and 90+4′ from ESPN’s match data
- Real Madrid lineup consistent across official site, Sky Sports, and ESPN
- Real Madrid won 2-0 at Estadio de la Cerámica
Unclear
- No primary Villarreal club-source page confirmed independently
- Villarreal formation in the official match sheet versus pre-match predictions (Sports Illustrated predicted 5-4-1; match sheet showed 4-4-2)
- Exact referee assignment not captured in available data
- No official La Liga match sheet URL in the research results
Key Statements
Real Madrid have named their starting line-up for the LaLiga matchday 21 fixture against Villarreal.
— Real Madrid club announcement
That makes Real Madrid’s likely lineup against Villarreal: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Carreras; Güler, Camavinga, Bellingham; Mastantuono, Mbappé and Vinicius.
— AS sports daily prediction
Kylian Mbappé – 47′, 90’+4′ Pen
— ESPN match data
Summary
Real Madrid’s 2-0 win at Estadio de la Cerámica delivered three points and a clean sheet without relying on a suspended Tchouaméni. Mbappé’s brace—from open play and the penalty spot—means Carlo Ancelotti’s side leave Villarreal with maximum points and momentum heading into the second half of the season. The confirmed lineups held firm across every independent source, giving fans and analysts a rare degree of certainty about what actually played out on the pitch. For Villarreal, the result raises questions about their defensive organization against elite attacking units, and the upcoming return fixture at the Bernabéu will offer an immediate opportunity to respond. Real Madrid’s victory narrows the gap at the top of the La Liga table, while Villarreal must regroup before the October return meeting.
Related reading: Villarreal CF vs Real Madrid lineups 2026 timeline · Villarreal vs Real Madrid 2026 La Liga lineups
Frequently asked questions
When is the Villarreal vs Real Madrid match?
The match took place on 24 January 2026 at Estadio de la Cerámica, with kickoff at 21:00 CET (3 p.m. ET in the United States).
Where can I find the official lineups?
Real Madrid’s official site published the confirmed starting XI and bench. Sky Sports also posted a match-day lineups page for both clubs with substitutes listed.
What formation did Real Madrid use?
Real Madrid named a 4-4-2 on paper but deployed fluidly with Mastantuono, Mbappé, and Vinícius Júnior as a high-pressing front three. Jude Bellingham moved forward at stages to support the attack.
Who scored the goals in Real Madrid vs Villarreal?
Kylian Mbappé scored both goals—his first in the 47th minute and his second from a penalty in the 90+4th minute. The final score was Villarreal 0-2 Real Madrid.
Was Aurélien Tchouaméni available for the match?
No. Managing Madrid reported that Tchouaméni was suspended after receiving a yellow card in the previous match against Levante. He did not make the matchday squad.
What was Villarreal’s formation?
Transfermarkt’s match sheet recorded Villarreal in a 4-4-2 formation. This matched the positional listings from Sky Sports’ match page. Sports Illustrated had predicted a 5-4-1 shape before kickoff.
When is the next Villarreal vs Real Madrid match?
The return fixture is scheduled for 11 October 2026 at Santiago Bernabéu in Madrid.
By Niamh Gallagher|Edited by Robert Kavanagh|Fact-checked by Aoife Brennan|Published 10 Jul 2026 · 10:44|10 min
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