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The hosts opened the scoring when Luka Modric's short corner was dummied by Jude Bellingham for Federico Valverde, with the Uruguayan taking aim from distance and finding the bottom corner with the aid of a deflection.

But Villarreal, which had won back-to-back league games heading into this match, responded almost immediately when Nicolas Pepe's header rattled the crossbar before Thierno Barry nodded over.

Los Blancos had further chances to increase the lead, but Antonio Rudiger sent an effort over the bar before Bellingham's long-range effort sailed just wide of the post.

The victory was eventually sealed 17 minutes from time with a sensational strike. Vinicius Junior tried his luck from long-range and curled a superb shot into the top corner beyond the grasp of Diego Conde after being found by Valverde.

In second-half stoppage time, though, Carvajal went down in agony, the Spaniard leaving the pitch on a stretcher and in tears after what look like a hyper-extension of his knee in a collision with Yeremy Pino.