Soccer Football - LaLiga - Real Madrid v Villarreal - Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid, Spain - December 17, 2023 Real Madrid's Fran Garcia and Nacho celebrate after the match REUTERS/Isabel Infantes
MADRID (Reuters) -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 LaLiga 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.
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 on Monday.
Real also opened a seven point gap over third-placed Barcelona, who drew 1-1 at Valencia on Saturday and are without a win in their last three games in all competitions.
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 LaLiga'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, a goal that was initially ruled out by the linesman for offside with the decision overturned by VAR.
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.
It was a bittersweet night for Carlo Ancelotti's side though as Alaba had to be helped off the pitch by medical staff after twisting his left knee running to make a challenge in midfield.
"I haven't spoken to him... said 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."
Full back Ferland Mendy was also forced off with an injury by the end of the first half, dealing another blow to a club that have struggled with several long-term injuries this season.
"What the team has to do is hang in there like we have done," added Ancelotti. "We have done more than people expected. Despite the problems, this team is hanging in there. We'll see in the next few days if anything can be done..."
(Reporting by Fernando Kallas; editing by Clare Fallon and Ken Ferris)
