Real Madrid's LaLiga hopes continue to fade away after suffering a 3-2 loss to Villarreal at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday night.
LaLiga
Result: Real Madrid 2-3 Villarreal
Date: 08 April 2023
Venue: Santiago Bernabeu
Carlo Ancelotti chose to rest some key players ahead of the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals this week, with Lucas Vazquez, Marco Asensio, Antonio Rudiger, Nacho and Aurelien Tchouameni all recalled.
Los Blancos were gifted the opening goal on 16 minutes when Pau Torres deflected the ball into his own net while trying clear Asensio's cutback in the six-yard box.
The home side looked to double their lead after that with two chances in quick succession, but Villarreal shot-stopper Pepe Reina produced a double save to deny Karim Benzem and Rodrygo.
Villarreal coach Quique Setién was not happy with how his side were performing and made a change in the 33rd minute when Manu Trigueros replaced Ramon Terrats, who expressed displeasure by walking straight down the tunnel.
The visitors went on to grab the equaliser six minutes before the break when Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze with a neat finish into the bottom corner after some good work by Giovani Lo Celso.
It didn't take Real long to restore their lead in the second period when Dani Ceballos surged into the box before squaring for Vinicius Junior, who slotted past Reina from close range.
The Yellow Submarine were not to be outdone as levelled matters for second time on 70 minutes through Jose Luis Morales' close-range finish, which the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) confirmed.
With 13 minutes to go, Villarreal took the lead for the first time in the game when Chukuwueze completed his brace with a fine finish into the far corner after combining with Alex Baena.
Ancelotti's men threw everything forward in search of an equaliser late on, but the Yellow Submarine remained resolute and held on for a famous win in the Spanish capital.
You must be SIGNED IN to read and post comments.
