Mariano Diaz hits brace as Real Madrid down Villarreal

Mariano Diaz struck twice as Real Madrid claimed a 3-2 win over Villarreal as Zinedine Zidane continued to test his options ahead of an expected summer overhaul.

Gareth Bale and Luka Modric were left out of the Real Madrid squad entirely for the match at the Santiago Bernabeu, with Brahim Diaz, Mariano Diaz and Jesus Vallejo all starting. All three youngsters impressed for the home side.

It took Real Madrid just two minutes to open the scoring, with Santi Cazorla caught napping and Mariano Diaz prodding home a finish to put his team ahead. Villarreal equalised, though, when Gerard Moreno made the most of a similar mistake, lashing home with his left foot.

The hosts regained the lead before half time, though, with Vallejo finishing from close range after a Marcelo shot was deflected into his path. And it was 3-1 just four minutes into the second half when Mariano grabbed his second of the game, finishing off a Dani Carvajal cross at the back post.

Villarreal scored a second goal in stoppage time, but it was too little too late as Real Madrid claimed all three points, turning in one of the best performances since the return of Zidane to the club.

These past few weeks have been all about experimentation for Zidane and Real Madrid. An overhaul is expected in the summer and so the Frenchman is testing his options. Until recently, it was assumed that the likes of Brahim, Mariano, Vallejo and Fede Valverde would be sold or loaned out, but all four impressed in this match. They have at least given Zidane something to think about.

There were a number of standout performers for Real Madrid, with Mariano and Vallejo impressive. Vinicius also made quite the impression after being introduced off the bench. However, nobody caught the eye like Brahim, who not for the first time in recent weeks was the driving force through the centre of the Real Madrid midfield. On another day, the former Manchester City youngster would have found the net as well.

Real Madrid - Courtois 5, Carvajal 7, Varane 7, Vallejo 8, Marcelo 7, Casemiro 5, Valverde 7, Kroos 5, Lucas 5, Mariano 8, Brahim 8. Subs - Asensio 5, Isco 4, Vinicius 6.

Villarreal - Andres 7, Mario 5, Alvaro 6, Funes Mori 5, Quintilla 5, Iborra 5, Fornals 5, Cazorla 6, Pedraza 5, Samu 5, Moreno 7. Subs - Trigueros 6, Bacca 6, Costa 6.

2’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1-0 Villarreal: What a start for Real Madrid! Marinao has opened the scoring for the home side after just 85 seconds! Cazorla was caught napping by the sharper Brahim, who played through Mariano. The striker then prodded a finish home at the near post! Real Madrid are ahead.

11’ GOAL! Real Madrid 1-1 Villarreal: What an equaliser! Villarreal are back on level terms! Casemiro gave up the ball 25 yards out from his own goal and then Gerard lashes a strike home in at the near post. Courtois was at full stretch and he was still nowhere near getting that! Level again.

13’ Off the post! That would have been quite the goal from Carvajal! Marcelo's cross found the Real Madrid right back 20 yards out, he struck it first time, but it comes smashing back off the woodwork!

40’ GOAL! Real Madrid 2-1 Villarreal: The hosts are back in front! Vallejo was up from the back, the young defender got ahead of his marker and managed to find himself presented with an unmissable chance from just four yards out as Marcelo's shot from the edge of the box deflected into his path.

49’ GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal: There's a third goal for Real Madrid and a second goal for Mariano! The home side have given themselves some breathing room! Carvajal gets in behind the Villarreal defence and plays the pass to the back post, where Mariano was waiting for the delivery. He finishes from close range.

76’ Almost a stunner! Brahim worked the ball into the box, stopped and then attempted to pick his spot, aiming for the far corner of the net. However, the ball flashes just wide of the far post. That would have been a stunner.

78’ That should be 2-3! What an opportunity for Villarreal to get themselves back into this game. The ball was played into the middle from the left wing, but from 10 yards out Chukwueze puts the shot wide at the near post.

94’ GOAL! Real Madrid 3-1 Villarreal: It's surely too little too late for the away side, but what a finish that was from Costa. The pass was played to the edge of the box and he bent a right-footed strike into the back of the net. Will we get a grandstand finish in stoppage time?

Mariano Diaz’s goal after 84 seconds was the fastest Real Madrid have scored this season (in all competitions).