Real Madrid 1-1 Villarreal: Boost for Barcelona as Blancos are held at home

A lacklustre Real Madrid were unable to go back four points clear at the top of La Liga on Sunday as they could only draw 1-1 with Villarreal at Santiago Bernabeu.

Having seen rivals Barcelona close the gap at the top to a point with a 3-1 win over Granada on Saturday, Real initially looked like matching them after Cristiano Ronaldo's second-half penalty.


Ronaldo's spot-kick gave Carlo Ancelotti's men the breakthrough following a foul on the forward inside the area from Eric Bailly early in the second period.

However, a spirited and hard-working Villarreal side drew level 12 minutes later when Gerard Moreno seized on a loose ball to equalise from the edge of the area.

Moreno's effort was the first goal Real conceded since the 4-0 defeat at the start of last month to city rivals Atletico Madrid - who also dropped points on Sunday with a draw at Sevilla.

The result leaves seven points separating the top three, with Villarreal claiming an impressive point in their bid to seal European qualification.