Real Finish Third After Throwing Away Two-Goal Lead

Spanish LaLiga 

Result: Villarreal 2-2 Real Madrid

Date: 19 May 2018

Venue: Estadio de la Cerámica

Real Madrid threw away a two-goal lead as they drew 2-2 with Villarreal on the final day of the season, which dashed their hopes of finishing second in LaLiga.

Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the Los Blancos line-up, while Gareth Bale retained his spot in the side.

Bale continued his scoring run as he bagged the opener for the visitors as some quick thinking saw the Welshman slipped in from a quick free-kick and he slotted into the bottom corner.

The lead was doubled on 32 minutes as Ronaldo marked his return to the starting XI with a goal by nodding home a superb cross from Marcelo.

Toni Kroos looked to register his name on the scoresheet and he went close on 41 minutes as his thumping strike was tipped over the bar by Fernandez.

That proved to be the final attempt at goal in the half as Real took a comfortable lead into the break.

The Yellow Submarine looked more lively in the second half as Enes Unal saw his goal-bound header cleared off the line by Sergio Ramos after the hour.

The hosts then pulled a goal back in the 71st minute as Roger Martinez rifled the ball into the top corner from close range.

The comeback was complete with eight minutes remaining as Castillejo beat the offside trap before slotting past Luca Zidane.

Los Blancos pushed for a winning goal in the closing stages but Villarreal held out for the point, which sees Real finish below second-placed Atletico Madrid in LaLiga.