Villarreal 4-4 Real Madrid: 5 Hits and Flops as Los Blancos play out thrilling draw | La Liga 2023-24

Real Madrid and Villarreal featured in an absolute La Liga classic as the game between the two sides ended 4-4 on Sunday, May 19.

Following their big 5-0 win over Deportivo Alaves, Carlo Ancelotti continued to rotate the side ahead of the upcoming Champions League final. He made eight changes in all, handing starts to the likes of Andriy Lunin, Brahim Diaz, and Arda Guler.

After an initial scare from Alexander Sorloth who hit the post, it was smooth sailing for the visitors who took the lead in the 14th minute. A lovely touch and finish from Guler saw Real Madrid take a 1-0 lead.

Joselu doubled their advantage at the half-hour mark with a header before Sorloth pulled one back in the 39th minute. However, two quick goals from Lucas Vazquez and Guler meant Los Blancos took a 4-1 lead into the break.

In a space of eight minutes after the break, Sorloth bagged an unbelievable hattrick to level the scores for the hosts. He made it 4-2 in the 48th minute with a header before slotting home just two minutes later to get his third of the game. He levelled in the 56th minute after a quick counter-attack, stunning Real Madrid.

Both sides looked for openings to find the winner but they held on as the game ended 4-4. Here are five hits and flops from the game:

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#5 Hit - Arda Guler

The Turkish youngster is living up to his hype despite seeing minimal action. He has six league goals in about 370 minutes, including a brace against Villarreal. He finished the game with four shots (two on target), four successful dribbles, and three passes into the final third.

#4 Flop - Dani Ceballos

The midfielder made a mistake at the back that led to Villarreal's opener, giving the ball away close to his own box. Apart from that, he could not really influence the game.

#3 Hit - Lucas Vazquez

A great performance at right-back from Vazquez, who looked lively in attack all game. He finished with three chances created and three clearances to go with his goal and two assists.

#2 Flop - Eder Militao

It was a nightmarish outing for Militao who was thoroughly beaten multiple times by Sorloth on the night. He failed to mark the striker properly on multiple occasions, leading to the hosts coming back from a three-goal deficit.

#1 Hit - Alexander Sorloth

It was an outing of clinical finishing from Sorloth who found himself in the right place time and time again to score four goals against Real Madrid. He now has 23 goals in the league this season and looks the likely candidate to finish as the top scorer.