Goals from Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo gave Real Madrid a comfortable win over Villarreal at El Madrigal.
Modric netted just past the half-hour after working the ball from right to left and back to the centre, Modric sending a floated effort past Sergio Asenjo.
Ronaldo grabbed a second and his 10th for the season shortly before half-time, Karim Benzema doing much of the donkey work before setting up the prolific Portuguese.
Villarreal were more than competitive and with a bit more of a cutting edge could have been in front, Madrid vulnerable to quick movement and runs in behind an exposed defence in the first half, but looking much more secure after establishing a two-goal lead.
Carlo Ancelotti restored Iker Casillas, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema to the XI that dispatched Elche while Marcelino made numerous changes to the side that drew with Eibar in midweek, with the visit of Madrid Villarreal’s fourth game in 10 days.
Madrid have scored 18 goals in their last three games – 13 in two League fixtures – and but the opening stages were even, Villarreal putting the Madrid defence under pressure more than once, the visitors’ midfield offering the back line little protection.
Villarreal’s runners off the ball repeatedly caused problems for Madrid who struggled to fashion a genuine opening, the final ball too often going astray. Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane were kept busy with a couple of important blocks from each centre-back.
Yet it was Madrid who opened the scoring, a patient spell of passing on the edge of the Villarreal penalty area finding Modric, who casually beat Asenjo from distance. Villarreal were almost level with the next attack when Lucas Vietto headed wide, the home side showing endeavour to get back into the game.
Instead it was Madrid next to score, Ronaldo putting daylight between the sides but credit for the goal goes largely to Benzema. It was his run that led the Madrid break and the striker’s pull-back was inch-perfect, allowing Ronaldo to sweep home.
Villarreal began the second half on the front foot but their lack of incision was again a problem, Madrid’s lead barely threatened. A Moi Gomez cross gave Casillas a scare as the scrambling captain missed the low delivery, but so did Vietto.
Marcelino made three quick changes to try and get back into the side but while Gio dos Santos was lively, it was largely for naught. Madrid were able to contain the Villarreal attacks with little concern and wrap up a straightforward three points, with the hosts ending the game with 10 men after Mateo Musacchio went off injured.
Villarreal 0-2 Madrid
Modric 32, Ronaldo 40
Villarreal: Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Ruiz, Gabriel; Cani, Bruno, Trigueros (Jonathan dos Santos 68), Moi Gomez (Espinosa 61); Vietto, Uche (Gio dos Santos 65)
Real Madrid: Casillas; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Marcelo (Nacho 76); Modric, Kroos, James (Illarra 73); Benzema (Isco 85), Ronaldo, Bale
Referee: Undiano Mallenco
