Chukwueze nets 2 as Villarreal stun Real Madrid 3-2 at Bernabeu

BARCELONA: Samuel Chukwueze upstaged Vinicius Junior by scoring twice in an outstanding performance by the Villarreal forward to lead their 3-2 comeback win at Real Madrid in the Spanish league on Saturday.

The Nigeria international canceled out a sixth-minute own goal by teammate Paul Torres when he juked past Nacho Fernandez to score his first goal in the 39th minute.

Vinicius put Madrid back in front shortly after halftime after he eluded a pack of defenders, but Chukwueze made a pass that led to substitute Jose Morales’ equalizer in the 70th. He then struck the 80th-minute winner from long range to stun the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid’s first home loss in the domestic league comes four days before they host Chelsea in the Champions League quarterfinals.

Barcelona can move 15 points clear of second-placed Madrid if they beat Girona on Monday.

Needing an unlikely meltdown by Barcelona to get back in the domestic title race, Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti rested several regulars for the Chelsea game. Luka Modric remained on the bench along with Toni Kroos, Federico Valverde, Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal.

Ancelotti said his team would make a better showing against Chelsea.

“We should have defended better, but it was difficult for us to be 100 percent motivated,” Ancelotti said. “Wednesday will be different. On Wednesday we will be full on.”

Quique Setien’s Villarreal, who beat Madrid at home 2-1 this season, moved into fifth place at four points from Real Sociedad in fourth and the last Champions League spot.

DRIBBLING DUEL

Chukwueze, 23, and Vinicius, 22, are among the best dribblers in the league, and their skills at tormenting defenders were on full display.

A pass by Vinicius was turned into his own net by