Real keep second, degree on 38 factors with Barca who go to fourth-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday, whereas Villarreal’s third straight league win strikes them as much as fifth spot.

Villarreal dominated from the beginning, with Francis Coquelin rattling the woodwork within the fifth minute earlier than Yeremy Pino was denied by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from shut vary, however the hosts had been unable to interrupt the impasse within the first half.

There was no let up from Villarreal after the break although and the strain informed within the forty seventh minute when Moreno set Pino free to cost at purpose and unleash a fierce shot into the online.

Villarreal had been briefly pegged again when a handball by Juan Foyth gave the guests a penalty, which was expertly dispatched by Karim Benzema on the hour.

The hosts acquired a penalty of their very own two minutes later when a falling David Alaba dealt with the ball. Moreno transformed from the spot after Madrid’s protests had calmed down, sending Courtois the flawed solution to safe the win.