Ronaldo is silent, Real loses again at home Bernabeu
Real suffered a 0-1 defeat against Villarreal in round 19 of La Liga, and is at risk of falling 19 points behind Barca.
Goal: Pablo Fornals 87'
Playing at home at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid created many chances but failed to score. Goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo had to show his talent in blocking Marcelo's long-range shot from the 17th minute. Three minutes later, Villarreal's number 1 continued to have a timely reflex when grabbing the ball right before Cristiano Ronaldo rushed in to receive Isco's cross.
Ronaldo himself also had several failed shots. CR7 took a free kick that hit a defender's foot and changed direction, forcing Asenjo to push the ball off the crossbar in the 23rd minute, before lobbing a one-on-one shot that went wide in the 30th minute, glancing wide in the 31st minute, and losing again to Asenjo in a one-on-one in the 45th minute.
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Ronaldo kept shooting but the ball wouldn't go into the net. |
Real also had a controversial penalty opportunity. Gareth Bale's header bounced off a visiting defender in the box, but the referee did not award a penalty.
In their rush to attack, Real almost paid the price in defence in the first half. Villarreal striker Carlos Bacca got away from goalkeeper Keylor Navas just before Nacho could run back to clear the ball.
Lacking ideas in attack, Real created fewer chances as the match entered the second half. The attacks mainly stopped at long-range shots or Marcelo's crosses.
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Real's performance has declined over time. |
Real's most dangerous moment in the second half was Luka Modric's shot from inside the box in the 81st minute. The Croatian midfielder covered his face in regret as his shot went just inches over the bar after a good pass from Lucas Vazquez from the right wing.
Villarreal created fewer chances but still caused trouble for goalkeeper Navas. Early in the second half, Denis Cheryshev had a warning for his former team when he shot wide of the post from 16 meters away.
Villarreal's defensive counter-attacking efforts finally paid off in the 87th minute. With a ball from the penalty area, the visitors needed only four passes for Enes Unal to shoot past goalkeeper Navas. Fornals finished the rebound with a lob over Navas' head for the decisive goal.
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Villarreal scored a goal as the match was about to end. Photo:Reuters |
The defeat to Villarreal was Real Madrid's fourth defeat of the La Liga season. The defending champions are currently fourth with 32 points, just one point ahead of Villarreal.
If they win at Sociedad in the late match of round 18, Barca will create a 19-point gap over Real.
