Modric leads Real to win over Villarreal but Alaba injured

MADRID: Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric demonstrated his enduring value with a goal and a brilliant assist in a 4-1 home win over Villarreal on Sunday to put his side top of La Liga but they lost defender David Alaba to an ACL injury in the first half.

Real’s Austria international went off after 35 minutes as he became the third Real player sidelined with a torn anterior cruciate ligament injury this season after centre-back Eder Militao and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

“I haven’t spoken to him… said Real coach Carlo Ancelotti. “The medical report says he has an ACL tear. It’s a shame, we are very sad because another player is out. I’ve never had three ACL tears in just a few months.”

Following a disappointing 1-1 draw at Real Betis last weekend, Real returned to winning ways and lead the standings on 42 points, one ahead of Girona who host lowly Alaves late on Monday while Villarreal are languishing at 14th, three points above the relegation zone.

Real were in full control, with Modric the maestro, as they dominated possession and overwhelmed Villarreal.

The 38-year-old struck the bar and then helped Real open the scoring through Jude Bellingham in the 25th minute as his first-time cross from the edge of the area found La Liga’s top scorer who headed past goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen.

It was Bellingham’s 13th goal of the season, three ahead of Getafe’s Borja Mayoral.

Rodrygo extended Real’s lead with a close-range strike from a Modric corner in the 37th.

Jose Morales pulled a goal back for the visitors after 54 minutes with a tidy finish after a counter-attack.

However, Brahim Diaz scored Real’s third in the 64th with a fine individual effort and Modric got on the scoresheet four minutes later, striking a loose ball inside the box.

Earlier, Real Sociedad and Real Betis shared the spoils in an intense 0-0 draw. Both teams lost ground on Athletic Bilbao, fifth, who beat fourth-placed Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

La Real, sixth, trail their Basque rivals by two points, while Betis, seventh, are five points behind Athletic.