First Division - Day 5

Real Madrid 1 - Villarreal 1

Madrid: Kiko Casilla; Danilo, Varane, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo (Dani Carvajal 44’); Modric, Kovacic, Kroos, James; Bale (Lucas Vázquez 72‘), Benzema (Morata 77‘), Cristiano Ronaldo. 4-3-3.
Villarreal: Sergio Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Víctor Ruiz, José Angel; Bruno, Manu Trigueros; Jonathan Dos Santos (N'Diaye 88‘), Samu Castillejo, Cheryshev (Roberto Soriano 64’); Sansone (Alexandre Pato 73‘). 4-2-3-1.

Goals:
0-1. 45. Bruno (penalty). After Sergio Ramos blocked ball with arm inside area.
1-1. 48. Sergio Ramos. Got above defence to head James corner past Asenjo.

Yellow cards: Sergio Ramos 45’, José Angel 52’, Ronaldo 69’, Kroos 75’, Dani Carvajal 94’.

Leaders Real Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Villarreal on Wednesday, the result bringing to an end their record run of sixteen league wins in a row. Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale were back in the line-up alongside Benzema, and all three had chances before the break, Benzema and Ronaldo bringing good saves out of Sergio Asenjo, and Ronaldo and Bale shooting wide. Kiko Casilla had to be at his best though to tip a shot from Cheryshev over the top, and with the first half coming to a close the visitors were awarded a penalty when Sergio Ramos blocked a shot from Trigueros with his arm. Bruno stroked home a “Panenka” style soft spot kick, but just two minutes after the restart Ramos made up for his mistake, the Spanish international defender levelling the scores with a header from a James corner. This time however Zidane’s side were unable to repeat the comeback they had achieved in their last home game against Sporting Lisbon, Asenjo in particular making key saves from Kroos, Morata and Ronaldo to keep up his team’s unbeaten record. Despite the result though Madrid stay two points clear at the top after Barcelona and Atlético also drew later in the evening.