Real Madrid vs. Villarreal: Score and Reaction from 2016 LaLiga Match

Sergio Ramos has a way of writing the narrative.

The Real Madrid defender was responsible for his club conceding the game's first goal in the first half on Wednesday but quickly equalised in the second half as Real Madrid's streak of 16 consecutive LaLiga wins came to a close in a 1-1 draw against Villarreal.

It was a disappointing result for the club, as former player and current pundit Gary Lineker noted:

Bruno's penalty conversion gave Villarreal their lone goal in the opening 45 minutes. But Real Madrid dominated the proceedings from a statistical perspective, per WhoScored.com:

After an uneventful first half, Ramos pumped the game full of intrigue in the 45th minute.

Following a Real Madrid turnover deep in their own half, Manu Trigueros took a rip from outside of the box. A sliding Ramos blocked the shot, but he did so with his outstretched arm—and the referee awarded Villarreal a penalty kick.

Bruno stepped up to the spot and didn't miss, deftly floating a chip past Kiko Casilla.

There was little question as to Ramos' intent on the play, but his place on the field was less certain, as Dermot Corrigan of ESPN noted:

It was a familiar scene for Ramos, per soccer writer Sid Lowe:

It was the third penalty Ramos has given away in all competitions this season, the most among LaLiga players, according to OptaJose.

It was a disappointing half for Real Madrid. Not only did the team not play well, but Marcelo also had to be subbed off late in the half after suffering what appeared to be a muscle injury, per Corrigan.

Real Madrid looked less effective without another key player on the pitch, as Corrigan pointed out:

Meanwhile, Ben Hayward of Goal.com felt Cristiano Ronaldo wasn't helping his team-mates with his movement:

Ramos left Real Madrid trailing at the half. He made amends for his error in the 48th minute, however.

With Real Madrid buzzing to start the second half, the club earned a corner. James Rodriguez curled a lovely cross to the back post, where Ramos was in position to head home the game's equaliser.

A different Real Madrid team came out of the tunnel to start the second half, as Hayward noted:

Los Blancos went from failing to register a shot in the first half for the first time this season, per OptaJose, to buzzing all over the pitch.

Real Madrid's players quickly applied pressure on the ball when they lost it, winning it back before pressing forward on the attack, and Rodriguez whipped in one dangerous cross after another.

Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema all had chances on goal, and a second tally seemed inevitable. 

But Villarreal stood tall and remained stout, absorbing wave after wave of Real Madrid attacks. Sergio Asenjo made several saves, and Real Madrid missed the target a few times when handed solid scoring chances, preserving the draw.

Los Blancos remained atop the table with 13 points from five matches, while Villarreal have taken nine points in five contests and stand in fifth place.

Real Madrid will face Las Palmas on Saturday, while Villarreal will take on Osasuna on Sunday.

Post-Match Reaction

Francisco Seco/Associated Press

After the contest, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane was left to lament his team's poor start.

"We did not start the game well," he acknowledged, per Corrigan. "The second half we had many chances, but you cannot always win in the last minute.”

Fullback Dani Carvajal—who replaced Marcelo in the first half—concurred.

“I think we were lethargic in the first half and we conceded," he told AS English. "We gave it everything in the second half but it wasn’t to be.”

He added: “The team gave everything and if we do that all season it’ll be difficult to drop points.”

Villarreal manager Fran Escriba was a bit more optimistic about his team's performance and feels it can be a building block going forward:

He added, per the club's Twitter account: "Obviously it's a good point, we're on the right track and we have to play well next match."

While Villarreal will now focus on their next match, Zidane and Real Madrid were keeping a close eye on the evening's showdown between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, the club's top two competitors for a La Liga title this year.

“I want a draw—so we will all stay same," he said, per Corrigan. "But really i’m not worried about that result, just my team."

After Real Madrid's lethargic start, there is plenty for Zidane to keep himself busy worrying about.

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