Real Madrid vs. Villarreal: Score, Grades, Reaction from La Liga Game

Cristiano Ronaldo scored his 30th goal of the season for Real Madrid for the fifth successive year, but Villarreal claimed a point from the Bernabeu in a 1-1 draw Sunday to blow the La Liga title race wide open again.

Ronaldo was on target from the penalty spot six minutes into the second period after Eric Bailly hauled him down inside the area.

However, Villarreal were in no mood to lie down after an impressive first-half display, and Gerard Moreno struck a 64th-minute equaliser, which was the least the visitors deserved from an impressive performance.

It could have been even worse for Real Madrid, who were grateful for Dani Carvajal in the first half when his header off the line denied Moi Gomez from giving Villarreal a surprise lead.

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

Real Madrid were hoping to restore their four-point advantage over Barcelona in the title race, but they instead finished the day with just a two-point lead.

The Bernabeu were unchanged for the third successive game, while Villarreal head coach Marcelino made seven changes to his team with the midweek Copa del Rey semi-final against Barcelona in mind.

Apart from an early Lucas Silva snapshot, there was little threat on the Villarreal goal, while the visitors almost took the lead in the 12th minute. Iker Casillas parried brilliantly, but the ball dropped for Gomez, who looked certain to score before Carvajal headed clear from his own goal line.

Meanwhile, there were precious few opportunities for the home side, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lucas Silva reduced to long-distance attempts.

Gareth Bale went close for Los Blancos toward the end of the first period when his floated cross-cum-shot glanced against the crossbar. But Real Madrid were left seeking an opener as the half-time whistle blew, with Villarreal the more satisfied of the two teams after 45 minutes.

Freelance football writer Nick Dorrington offered his praise for the visitors: 

In the 51st minute, Real Madrid were awarded a penalty when Bailly, who had played well in the first half, pulled back Ronaldo. The star scorer calmly stepped up to the spot to beat Sergio Asenjo.

Ronaldo chased a Bale through ball moments later, but Asenjo blocked him. The Villarreal goalkeeper was caught by a trailing leg of the Portugal international but carried on in goal.

Ronaldo then attempted to set up Bale with a pass across the edge of the penalty area, but the former Tottenham man skied his effort.

In the 63rd minute, though, Villarreal were level. Substitute Luciano Vietto had been on the field for a matter of seconds after replacing Giovani dos Santos when he played a one-two with Moreno, who drilled home beyond Casillas:

"

El gol de Gerard Moreno. https://t.co/AQ4CvXBK0v

— Liga BBVA (@LigaGoleador) March 1, 2015"

Bailly struggled with the pace of Ronaldo in a chase for the ball in the 69th minute, but Asenjo was equal to the Bernabeu star's angled effort. Asenjo then produced a stunning save to deny a flicked Ronaldo header in the 72nd minute.

Carlo Ancelotti made a change moments after that chance, with Jese entering the fray to replace Lucas Silva.

The home fans felt a wave of relief in the 76th minute when Vietto slipped at the vital moment after a Varane error had allowed him a free run at goal.

Jeers followed from some Real Madrid supporters as Ancelotti replaced Isco with Asier Illarramendi in the 78th minute. It was a tremendous compliment to Villarreal, as the Italian appeared to be solidifying his team rather than chasing an all-out attack.

Asenjo fumbled a cross six minutes from time, his first error of the game, but Jese could only send the loose ball wide of target.

Casillas needed to be alert in the 86th minute when he pushed away a superb Vietto strike, while the home side appealed unsuccessfully for a penalty when substitute Javier Hernandez went to the ground under a challenge from Bailly.

Ronaldo was left frustrated again in injury time when he could not head a Marcelo cross goalward.

A win was not to be on a disappointing night for Real Madrid, but Villarreal's makeshift XI will leave Marcelino with some serious selection dilemmas for the midweek Cup tie. 

Selected Player Ratings

Cristiano Ronaldo: A-

Like his Real Madrid team-mates, Ronaldo was left frustrated after a first period in which Villarreal reduced him to long-range strikes which barely threatened. He took his penalty well to give Real Madrid the lead.

Eric Bailly: A-

It was a solid debut display from the Villarreal defender in an energetic performance from his team, especially in the first half. Bailly blotted his copybook with a foul on Ronaldo to concede the 51st-minute penalty, but his resolute defending in the closing stages helped Villarreal to a point.

Dani Carvajal: A+

The Real Madrid defender produced a tremendous header off his own line to deny Gomez in an excellent first-half display.

Post-Match Reaction