First Division - Day 15

Villarreal 1 – Real Madrid 0

Villarreal: Areola; Eric Bailly (Rukavina 84’), Musacchio, Víctor Ruíz, Jaume Costa; Jonathan Dos Santos, Manu Trigueros (Tomás Pina 92’), Bruno, Denis Suárez; Soldado (Nahuel 83’), Bakambu. 4-4-2.
Madrid: Keylor Navas; Danilo, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Marcelo (Jesé 89‘); Modric (Isco 78’), Casemiro (Kovacic 79’), James; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo. 4-3-3.

Goals:
1-0. 09. Soldado. Connected with Bakambu pass and steered shot under Navas.

Yellow cards: Marcelo 31’, Sergio Ramos 66’, Eric Bailly 72’, Denis Suárez 92’.

Real Madrid are now five points behind joint leaders Barcelona and Atlético after they lost 1-0 at Villarreal in the last game of the weekend. The East coast side had not beaten their opponents in over six years, but they got off to an electric start, Jonathan Dos Santos firing a shot against the upright before ex Madrid striker Soldado turned Bakambu’s pass under Keylor Navas with only nine minutes on the clock. Benzema responded with a shot over the top, but Bakambu could have added to the lead with a couple of efforts off target before the break. After the restart there were chances at both ends, Ronaldo having a good penalty appeal turned down, Areloa saving well from Bale and Benzema going close, and Keylor Navas in particular pushing Soldado’s shot against the post. But it was another defeat for Rafa Benítez’s side, and the coach is already under pressure after his side’s worst start to a season in seven years.