With the League already celebrated and the Champions League final in sight, a period opened for Carlo Ancelotti’s tests with the recently returned long-term injured. Courtois seems to have passed the tests and is aiming for Wembley, so much so that the coach lined up Lunin to start at La Cerámica. There remains the mystery of Militão, who has been accumulating minutes, but who had not yet been as compromised as against Villarreal. Marcelino, who revived the team midway through the course after two coaches with whom he was adrift, sent Sorloth to exploit the Brazilian’s doubts. And from there he scored four goals, with which Villarreal tied a game that was 1-4 at halftime. He also placed himself as the League’s top scorer.
4
Jorgensen, Jorge Cuenca (Albiol, min. 45), Yerson Mosquera, Alberto Moreno (Ramón Terrats, min. 80), Eric Bailly, Ilias Chakkour (Bertrand Traoré, min. 45), Parejo (Coquelin, min. 45), Gonçalo Guedes, Comesaña, Gerard Moreno (Capoue, min. 72) and Sörloth
4
Andriy Lunin, Eder Militao (Nacho, min. 60), Fran Garcia, Rüdiger, Lucas Vázquez, Dani Ceballos, Brahim Diaz (Rodrygo, min. 68), Federico Valverde (Camavinga, min. 60), Modric (Mario Martín, min. . 81), Arda Guler and Joselu
Goals 0-1 min. 14: Arda Guler. 0-2 min. 30: Joselu. 1-2 min. 38: Sörloth. 1-3 min. 40: Lucas Vázquez. 1-4 min. 47: Arda Guler. 2-4 min. 52: Sörloth. 3-4 min. 56: Sörloth.
Referee Alejandro José Hernández Hernández
Yellow cards Alberto Moreno (min. 49), Camavinga (min. 66), Bertrand Traoré (min. 84) and Dani Ceballos (min. 85)
The Norwegian was a scattershot of success against the tender Militão, who Ancelotti removed from the field at 4-4, when only an hour had been played. By then, the game seemed to have been two: one that Madrid dominated and another in which, driven by Sorloth’s overflowing inspiration, Villarreal rebelled, still having a chance to play next season in Europe, since the Betis lost at home against Real Sociedad. Although it was not enough for them, Marcelino’s team achieved a formidable feat. The Norwegian missed a last cross into the Guedes area by two fingers in which he was looking for his fifth goal.
Until Sorloth finished uncorking his memorable performance, Madrid had ruled the afternoon with a small command of playmakers. Ancelotti brought Güler, Modric and Brahim onto the field ahead of the double pivot of Valverde and Ceballos. The combinations of the three between the lines were enough to disarm a rival who did not disarm, but who saw how Real hurt him almost with every attack. Especially Arda Güler.
This season, the Turk has been a kind of distant mystery from which only sporadic signs came. Very short videos of his flashes in training were broadcast, and Real Madrid fans salivated over what he believed was about to blossom. But the course progressed thornily, and Ancelotti could not find the moment to give flight to the 19-year-old boy. Güler, with the same impatience as the fans, had pounced on every crumb, with an effectiveness that lived up to expectations. Reality seemed like a highlight, which dazzles every time he appears.
Until he saw himself as a starter again at La Cerámica, he had shot on goal four times and had celebrated four goals. He had also left a shot against the crossbar from the center of the field. Against Villarreal he was able to sustain that amazing pace of unforgettable moments. Brahim filtered a pass when he saw him entering the area, Güler cut back, shot and scored: five out of five. The same as a little later, when Lucas found him in the area and finished almost without an angle in front of Jorgensen: six out of six.
At that point, with 1-4, the afternoon seemed closed. Everything was working for Madrid: Joselu had scored with his head and even Lucas had hit the ball with his left foot. Only Sorloth, determined to undress Militão, who was on the verge of scoring his own, supported Villarreal. Under the downpour of Madrid’s touch, Ceballos made a mess in the area, Mosquera put in a cross from the outside and the Norwegian headed into the net, the sign of life for the locals at half-time.
Marcelino agitated them in the locker room and they came out enraged to pursue their options to play in Europe, with Sorloth always in the crosshairs, and with Militão always in the forward position. The Brazilian also appeared next to the Brazilian in the photos of the Norwegian’s other three goals, which still left half an hour ahead of a third game in which Madrid tried to regain control, although they did not completely succeed.
Villarreal was also unable to extend its chances of reaching a European spot until next weekend. He accomplished a feat against a rival who lowered his heart rate and perhaps cleared up the mystery about his center backs for the June 1 final against Borussia Dortmund.
You can follow Morning Express Deportes inFacebook andxor sign up here to receiveour weekly newsletter.
