(Reuters) – Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat at Villarreal on Saturday after a goal and assist from striker Gerard Moreno, giving leaders Barcelona a chance to move ahead in the title race.
Yeremy Pino opened the scoring for Villarreal just after the break before Real levelled through Karim Benzema’s penalty in the 60th minute, but parity lasted only three minutes as Moreno also fired home from the spot to secure the points. Real stay second, level on 38 points with Barca who visit fourth-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday, while Villarreal’s third straight league win moves them up to fifth spot.
Villarreal dominated from the start, with Alex Baena and Dani Parejo firing wide before Francis Coquelin rattled the woodwork with a shot from close range in the fifth minute.
Yeremy had the best chance of the first half after he was played through on goal by Moreno, but Thibaut Courtois was quickly off his line to block the shot. Real almost struck against the run of play as Benzema bore down on goal alongside team mate Vinicius Jr with just Raul Albiol in their way, but the Villarreal defender showed all his experience to win back the ball and quash the opportunity.
Benzema also created a half-chance for Vinicius towards the end of the first half, but the Brazilian’s shot from an acute angle was hit straight at goalkeeper Pepe Reina. Villarreal did not take their foot off the gas after the break and the pressure told in the 47th when Moreno set Yeremy free to charge at goal and unleash a fierce shot into the net.
Madrid grew into the game following Villarreal’s goal, with Benzema and Vinicius continuing to orchestrate the champions’ attacking efforts.
