Villarreal’s Raul Albiol applauds after the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Villareal and Real Madrid at Estadio De La Ceramica in Villareal.
| Photo Credit: AP
Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat at Villarreal on Saturday after a purpose and help from striker Gerard Moreno, giving leaders Barcelona an opportunity to maneuver forward within the title race.
Yeremy Pino opened the scoring for Villarreal simply after the break earlier than Real levelled by way of Karim Benzema’s penalty within the sixtieth minute, however parity lasted solely three minutes as Moreno additionally fired dwelling from the spot to safe the factors.
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 Alex Baena and Dani Parejo firing broad earlier than Francis Coquelin rattled the woodwork with a shot from shut vary within the fifth minute.
HIGHLIGHTS: #VillarrealRealMadrid 2-1
Villarreal shock the leaders and begin off the New Year in type!????#LaLigaSantander | #LaLigaHighlightspic.twitter.com/jwJYcDWaN2
— LaLiga English (@LaLigaEN) January 7, 2023
Yeremy had the most effective probability of the primary half after he was performed by way of on purpose by Moreno, however Thibaut Courtois was rapidly off his line to dam the shot.
Real nearly struck towards the run of play as Benzema bore down on purpose alongside workforce mate Vinicius Jr with simply Raul Albiol of their manner, however the Villarreal defender confirmed all his expertise to win again the ball and quash the chance.
Benzema additionally created a half-chance for Vinicius in the direction of the top of the primary half, however the Brazilian’s shot from an acute angle was hit straight at goalkeeper Pepe Reina.
Villarreal didn’t take their foot off the fuel after the break and the stress advised within the forty seventh when Moreno set Yeremy free to cost at purpose and unleash a fierce shot into the web.
Madrid grew into the sport following Villarreal’s purpose, with Benzema and Vinicius persevering with to orchestrate the champions’ attacking efforts.
Spot Kicks
Juan Foyth appeared to have stored Villarreal forward with a heroic goal-line block to disclaim Benzema within the 56th minute however, following a VAR intervention, the referee awarded Real a penalty for handball by the defender within the build-up to his block.
The spot kick was expertly dispatched by Benzema however Villarreal had been awarded a penalty of their very own two minutes later when a falling David Alaba unluckily dealt with the ball.
Moreno transformed after Madrid’s protests had calmed down, sending Courtois the unsuitable strategy to put his aspect again within the lead.
Alaba will go away the Estadio de la Ceramica feeling exhausting achieved by after his outstretched arm inadvertently touched the ball as he tried to melt the impression of his fall.
But Real coach Carlo Ancelotti agreed with the choice, telling reporters, “the two penalties were correct according to the rules so of course the referee has to respect it.”
Substitute Arnaut Danjuma squandered a golden alternative to seal the sport for Villarreal in added time, lacking an open purpose along with his effort from the midway line as Courtois was stranded deep in opposition territory after going up for a nook.
Ancelotti acknowledged that his aspect had been outplayed by their opponents, saying, “We couldn’t play at their level.
“We had been unhealthy, particularly in defence. We tried to create however we had been too open in midfield. We ought to have achieved extra.”
