Villarreal Manager Heaps Praises on Samuel Chukwueze For His Performance In The 3-2 Win Against Real Madrid.

Villarreal manager Quique Setien has heaped praises on Samuel Chukwueze following his performance in the 3-2 victory against the reigning La Liga and European champions Real Madrid.

Two sensational strikes from the Nigeria Super Eagles star Samuel Chukwueze, including a memorable winner from distance help Villarreal come from behind to beat Real Madrid at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night.

Quique Setien's side had already beaten Madrid this season in the league but completed the double with a 3-2 win.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side on the other hand looked determined in their objective to close the league title gap on Barcelona to nine points overnight having knocked them out of the Copa del Rey semi-final on Wednesday night with an emphatic 4-0 victory at the Camp Nou.

Los Blancos  made a bright start, and had taken lead through an own goal from defender Pau Torres, which owed much to good work from Marco Asensio just 16 minutes into the encounter, but Madrid were unable to keep the momentum going, as they loosed control of the match and Villarreal's equaliser was deserved when it came.

Chukwueze was the man to deliver the equaliser in style, leaving his marker Nacho Fernandez for dead with quick feet and a shimmy before slotting home in the 38th minute, as the first half ended 1-1.

Brazilian winger Vinicius Junior restored Madrid's lead three minutes into the second half with a solo goal as good as Chukwueze's, this time weaving between two players via a nutmeg and poking into the net.

The Yellow Submarine again levelled the scoreline, scoring after a VAR check overruled an offside call on substitute Jose Luis Morales leading to the goal in the 70th minutes.

Chukwueze then won it in a dramatic fashion in the 80th minute with a stunning strike from the edge of the box, curling into the top corner to beat beat goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

With his performance, Chukwueze became the second Villarreal player to score a brace in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu against Real Madrid, after Diego Forlan in May 2006.

The hosts pushed for a response, but had a penalty overturned by a VAR review as they looi for a late equaliser, plus Asensio missed the target from a promising 97th-minute free-kick.

The result means Real Madrid suffer their first home loss in the domestic league this season, as they remain 12 points behind leaders Barcelona having played a game more.

They could go 15 points behind rivals Barca, if the Blaugrana team defeats Girona on Monday night at the Camp Nou.

Speaking after the game, Setien praised Chukwueze for his performance: “Samu played a very complete match today. Extraordinary. He has been effective in scoring two goals that he has pulled out of his sleeve and has contributed in all facets, in defence as an aid and always being a threat.

"He is a kid who is in a moment of inspiration that is helping us a lot. He is a boy with a great desire to grow and improve. We see the reward on days like today, with great goals that may have celebrated even the Madrid fans.

"These actions are what we all like to see on a football field. For these players it is worth paying a ticket."

Meanwhile, Villarreal move up to fifth with the win which first league victory at the iconic venue since 2018, and are only four points shy of a Champions League spot.

Villarreal as a club, also said that the 23-year-old performance in the famous win against Real Madrid at the Bernabeu will never be forgotten.

Saturday’s goal was the third Chukwueze has scored against Madrid this season.

Una actuación para la historia en el Estadio Santiago Bernabéu.#RealMadridVillarreal pic.twitter.com/ibHo4PEBbk

— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) April 8, 2023

 "We won’t ever forget his performance today..." Villarreal wrote via their official Twitter page.