Mbappe's brace at Villarreal puts 'exhausted' Madrid back on top

VILAREAL, Spain — Kylian Mbappe's brace helped Real Madrid climb to the top of La Liga with a 2-1 win at Villarreal on Saturday, despite coach Carlo Ancelotti's complaints that his team was "exhausted".

Los Blancos moved three points clear of rival Barcelona, having played two extra games, with the Catalans visiting third-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday in a key clash in the Spanish title race.

Madrid was unhappy the game was taking place fewer than 72 hours after its Champions League win on penalties against Atletico on Wednesday.