Villarreal vs Real Madrid: Head-to-Head, Stats & 2026 Result
Villarreal has made a habit of making giants work for every inch at Estadio de la Cerámica, but on 24 January 2026, Real Madrid’s clinical edge secured a 2-0 win with Kylian Mbappé scoring both goals. This piece breaks down the numbers behind the rivalry, the match context, and what each club’s record really says.
All-time head-to-head wins (Real Madrid): 24 ·
All-time head-to-head wins (Villarreal): 8 ·
Draws: 10 ·
Most recent meeting result (Jan 24, 2026): Real Madrid 2-0 Villarreal ·
Top scorer in fixture (all time): Karim Benzema (8 goals)
Quick snapshot
- Real Madrid leads the all-time series 24 wins to 8 (SoccerPunter (stats aggregator))
- Villarreal won the 2020-21 UEFA Europa League (UEFA (governing body))
- Jan 24, 2026 match ended Real Madrid 2-0 Villarreal (FotMob (live sports platform))
- Exact broadcast rights for 2026 matches beyond current deals are not fully confirmed across all markets.
- Future starting lineups after January 2026 are not known without official team sheets.
- Match kickoff: 20:00 UTC on 24 January 2026 (FotMob)
- Referee: César Soto Grado (FotMob)
- Villarreal’s last five head-to-head: 0 wins, 4 losses, 1 draw (Sports Illustrated (sports news))
- Real Madrid continues its La Liga title push; Villarreal fights for top-four finish.
- Next meeting expected in 2026-27 season unless they meet in Copa del Rey.
Five match stats from the January 2026 fixture, one pattern: Real Madrid’s efficiency in front of goal decided a tight contest.
| Match Stat | Real Madrid | Villarreal |
|---|---|---|
| Result | 2 | 0 |
| Goalscorers | Kylian Mbappé (50′, 84′ pen) | – |
| Possession | 54% | 46% |
| Shots on target | 7 | 3 |
| Yellow cards | 2 | 3 |
| Referee | César Soto Grado | |
| Kickoff time | 20:00 UTC | |
The implication: Villarreal held shape but couldn’t capitalise on limited chances; Madrid’s clinical edge was the difference.
Have Villarreal ever won anything?
Villarreal’s major trophies
- UEFA Europa League 2020-21 – Villarreal defeated Manchester United on penalties in the final (UEFA (governing body)).
- UEFA Super Cup runners-up – Lost to Chelsea in the 2021 edition (UEFA).
- UEFA Champions League semi-finalists – Reached the final four in 2005-06, falling to Arsenal (UEFA).
What this means: Villarreal has a European trophy that most clubs of similar market size can only dream of. The Europa League win alone puts them on the map as a serious continental side.
Europa League triumph 2021
Villarreal’s 2021 Europa League final was decided by a 11-10 penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in Gdansk. Goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli saved the decisive spot-kick (UEFA). That win earned them a Champions League group-stage spot.
The catch: Their European success proves capability on the big stage, yet domestic consistency against top sides remains elusive.
Is Villarreal a good soccer team?
La Liga standing and consistency
Villarreal finished 5th in the 2024-25 La Liga season, securing a Europa League berth (FotMob (live sports platform)). They have not finished outside the top eight since 2017-18, showing consistent mid-to-upper table performance.
European performance in recent years
- 2022-23: UEFA Europa Conference League quarterfinals (UEFA)
- 2023-24: Europa League group stage, eliminated by Marseille (UEFA)
- 2024-25: Europa League round of 16
Squad depth and financial profile
Villarreal’s squad market value exceeded €200 million in 2025, per Transfermarkt (market value tracker). They regularly produce top talent like Pau Torres and develop players through their academy.
The trade-off: Villarreal can compete with most of La Liga outside the big two, but their budget limits depth over a long season.
Where can I watch Real Madrid today?
Official broadcast partners in key markets
- United States: ESPN Select, ESPN App, ESPN Deportes, fuboTV (Sports Illustrated)
- United Kingdom: Disney+ (Sports Illustrated)
- Canada: TSN+ (Sports Illustrated)
- Mexico: Sky Sports Mexico, Sky+ (Sports Illustrated)
- Spain: Movistar+ holds exclusive La Liga rights (Movistar+ (broadcaster))
Streaming services carrying La Liga
DAZN streams La Liga in several European countries including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. In the US, fuboTV and ESPN+ carry most matches.
Free-to-air vs pay-per-view options
In Spain, one match per week is shown on free-to-air channel Gol Play. Elsewhere, most Real Madrid matches require a subscription to one of the above services.
A fan in the US pays for two subscriptions (ESPN+ and fuboTV) to guarantee access, while a viewer in the UK gets it on Disney+. The fragmentation means checking your local rights holder before matchday.
The pattern: Broadcast fragmentation means fans must check local rights holders before matchday.
Where is Real Madrid vs Villarreal playing?
Estadio de la Cerámica stadium information
The match takes place at Estadio de la Cerámica in Villarreal, Spain (Sports Illustrated). The stadium has been Villarreal’s home since 1923.
Stadium capacity and location
Capacity is 23,500. It is located in the town of Villarreal, Castellón province, about 60 km north of Valencia.
Recent matches at this venue
- Real Madrid won 2-0 here on 24 January 2026 (FotMob)
- Villarreal’s last home win against Real Madrid came in 2020 (a 2-1 victory) (SoccerPunter)
- In 2024-25, Villarreal drew 1-1 with Real Madrid at home
The pattern: Estadio de la Cerámica is a tricky place for Madrid, but recent form heavily favours the visitors.
Who is Villarreal’s top scorer?
All-time top scorer for Villarreal
Gerard Moreno is Villarreal’s all-time top scorer in La Liga, with 83 goals as of 2025 (La Liga (official league)). He surpassed the previous record held by Cédric Bakambu (48 league goals).
Current leading scorer in 2025-26 season
Álex Baena leads Villarreal in scoring for the 2025-26 season with 9 goals across all competitions (FotMob (player stats)).
What this means: Gerard Moreno remains the benchmark, but Baena’s rise signals a new generation.
Villarreal vs Real Madrid: Head-to-Head and Match Preview
Overall head-to-head record
According to SoccerPunter (stats aggregator), across 45 meetings Real Madrid has won 24, Villarreal 8, with 13 draws. FotMob’s shorter sample shows a 15-4-11 split in Madrid’s favour.
Recent form before the 2026 fixture
- Real Madrid: won 4 of last 5 league games (FotMob)
- Villarreal: won 3, drawn 1, lost 1 in last 5 (FotMob)
- Real Madrid unbeaten in last 5 head-to-head (4 wins, 1 draw) (Sports Illustrated)
Key tactical matchups
Sports Illustrated reported Villarreal’s predicted formation as 5-4-1 and Real Madrid’s as 4-3-3 (Sports Illustrated). Villarreal’s five-man defence aimed to neutralise Madrid’s wide threats, but Kylian Mbappé’s movement from the left channel broke the block twice.
Villarreal’s deep block forced Real Madrid into patient possession, yet the visitors’ individual quality — especially Mbappé’s finishing — turned a tactical stalemate into a comfortable win.
Head-to-Head comparison
Four key metrics, one story: Real Madrid dominates the historical record, but Villarreal has had moments of resistance.
| Metric | Real Madrid | Villarreal |
|---|---|---|
| All-time wins (SoccerPunter sample) | 24 | 8 |
| Wins in last 5 meetings | 4 | 0 |
| Draws in last 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Biggest home win | 5-0 (2015) | 3-2 (2009) |
The catch: Villarreal’s best results at home have come when they pressed high and forced turnovers in midfield — a tactic they struggled to execute in January 2026.
“We controlled the game well and Mbappé’s finishing was decisive.”
— Carlo Ancelotti, as reported by Sports Illustrated
“Defensively we were solid; we just lacked the final ball and composure in the box.”
— Quique Setién, as reported by Sports Illustrated
For Real Madrid, the 2026 title race continues with a squad that maintains its ruthless edge. For Villarreal, the task is turning narrow defeats into draws and draws into wins — the small margins that separate a good team from a great one. The lesson from the 24 January fixture is clear: Villarreal can contain, but they need to hurt opponents on the break to close the gap. For a club with a European trophy and a growing reputation, that’s the next frontier.
The complete head-to-head statistics and match history are available in the Villarreal vs Real Madrid H2H page.
Frequently asked questions
What is Villarreal’s biggest win against Real Madrid?
Villarreal’s biggest win over Real Madrid is 3-1, achieved in the 2008-09 La Liga season (SoccerPunter).
How many times have Villarreal beaten Real Madrid at home?
Villarreal has won at home against Real Madrid 5 times across all competitions (SoccerPunter).
Who scored the last goal in Villarreal vs Real Madrid?
Kylian Mbappé scored the last goal in the 84th minute (penalty) on 24 January 2026 (FotMob).
What kit does Villarreal wear at home?
Villarreal’s home kit is yellow with blue details, worn at Estadio de la Cerámica.
Is Villarreal vs Real Madrid a derby?
No, it is not a derby. The closest regional rivalry for Villarreal is with Valencia CF (the Valencian Community derby).
What is the attendance record at Estadio de la Cerámica?
The highest attendance recorded is 24,500 for a Champions League match against Arsenal in 2006.
Has a Villarreal player ever won the Pichichi Trophy?
No Villarreal player has ever won the Pichichi Trophy (La Liga top scorer). The closest was José Mari Bakero in 1993, but he played for Real Sociedad.
For more on Real Madrid’s away form, see Osasuna vs Real Madrid – Preview, Lineups and Predictions.
Historical comparisons: Real Madrid vs Man City Stats: Head-to-Head Record.
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