Real Madrid were the cause of their own downfall as a composed Villarreal side won 2-1 on Saturday.
Scorers: Benzema 60; Pino 47; Moreno 63 (P); (P)
The hosts were clearly prepared to challenge the defending LaLiga champions right from the start, and Madrid suffered as a result.
Antonio Rüdiger, Edér Milito, and Fede Valverde flailed their limps in an effort to deflect nearly every shot as Villarreal’s assault rushed forward against a confused visitor defence and caused mayhem.
Thibaut Courtois stopped Yéremy Pino’s attempt, Francis Coquelin’s backheel attempt struck the post, and Lex Baena’s curler almost missed the crossbar.
The dynamic Madrid team of Karim Benzema and Vinicius Junior teamed on two tries, but they were unsuccessful.
Things remained 0-0 heading into the second half, but more disastrous defending from the visitors allowed Villarreal to break the deadlock. Ferland Mendy gave the ball away and turned it into his net from Pino’s shot.
Madrid needed to ramp things up, and Vinicius Junior turned on the afterburners down the wing. His initial shot was saved, but the ball fell to a lurking Benzema yet the Ballon d’Or winner was denied from point-blank range.
However, VAR alerted the referee to a handball in the build-up, and the Frenchman turned things 1-1 from the spot to hand the visitors a lifeline. It wouldn’t last for long, though, as more disastrous defending from Carlo Ancelotti’s men cost them.
David Alaba slipped and committed a handball of his own, allowing Gerard Moreno to turn things back in favour of Villarreal three minutes later.
As the game neared its conclusion, it remained a gritty but entertaining contest as both teams missed extra opportunities. In the end, Villarreal defeated Madrid thanks to their poise and impeccably executed game plan.
When compared to Villarreal, who are currently in fifth position, Ancelotti’s second-place team surrendered three crucial points before leaders Barcelona’s match against Atlético Madrid on Sunday.
