Real Madrid blew an opportunity to ramp up the stress on La Liga leaders Barcelona within the title race as they fell 2-1 at Villarreal in a disjointed show on Saturday. Yeremy Pino and Gerard Moreno‘s strikes both aspect of Karim Benzema‘s penalty have been sufficient to provide the hosts a sixth consecutive victory throughout all competitions and dent the Spanish champions’ bid to retain the trophy. Madrid stay stage on factors with league leaders Barcelona, who face Atletico Madrid on Sunday, and this season the nation’s two giants appear destined to tussle over the title themselves.

Carlo Ancelotti’s aspect caught up with Barcelona final weekend after Xavi‘s workforce drew with Espanyol within the Catalan derby, however Madrid haven’t began 2023 notably nicely.

Madrid’s slim Spanish Cup victory over fourth-tier opponents Cacereno was adopted by this bruising wake-up name on the renovated and newly reopened Estadio de la Ceramica, their second league defeat.

Ancelotti chosen a Madrid beginning line-up with out a Spanish participant in it for the primary time within the membership’s historical past, based on media studies in Spain.

Los Blancos have struggled away at Villarreal lately, with two wins in 11 visits, the final coming in 2017 when Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Alvaro Morata have been on the scoresheet.

Quique Setien’s aspect, constructing confidence after a troublesome begin for the previous Barcelona coach, comprehensively outplayed Madrid within the first half, albeit with out the objective they craved.

Francis Coquelin hit the put up with an exquisite flick from Alberto Moreno‘s cross, whereas Dani Parejo fired vast.

Gerard Moreno performed in Yeremy Pino however Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois did brilliantly to thwart the Spanish winger as he tried to dribble spherical him.

Alex Baena drilled one effort vast and curled one other narrowly over as Villarreal carved open Madrid’s sluggish defence at will.

Madrid, nonetheless struggling after the World Cup break, started to pry themselves in direction of the top of the primary half.

Benzema selected poorly when racing via on objective with Vinicius in assist, crashing into final man Raul Albiol as a substitute of springing the Brazilian.

When the French ahead then did tee up Vinicius, he was denied by veteran goalkeeper Pepe Reina, beginning after Geronimo Rulli’s transfer to Ajax.

Pino energy

Villarreal started the second half with the identical vigour and this time it did repay, with the electrical Pino slamming house from Moreno’s move.

Benzema instantly had an opportunity to equalise however dragged a shot inches vast of the far put up after being slipped in by Vinicius.

The 2022 Ballon d’Or winner ultimately levelled from the spot after probably the most marginal of handball selections was given towards Argentine World Cup winner Juan Foyth after an hour.

Villarreal have been infuriated however simply three minutes later have been gifted a mushy penalty themselves when David Alaba slipped and touched the ball together with his hand.

Moreno despatched Thibaut Courtois the incorrect technique to restore the hosts’ lead they usually clung to it tightly.

Rodrygo Goes fired vast as Madrid hunted for an equaliser earlier than Vinicius sprinted via on objective however fired over the bar when he might need scored.

Madrid journey to Saudi Arabia subsequent to participate within the Spanish Super Cup — however first they face an anxious wait to see if Barcelona drop factors within the capital.

(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)

Featured Video Of The Day

Rishabh Pant To Undergo Surgery For Ligament Tears, Will Be Monitored By BCCI Medical Team