VILA-REAL, SPAIN (REUTERS) - Real Madrid endured a frustrating start to the new year as they drew 2-2 at struggling Villarreal on Thursday (Jan 3) and were left seven points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona.
Midfielder Santi Cazorla gave the home side the lead in the fourth minute of the game, which was rescheduled due to Real's participation in last month's Club World Cup, by bending a wonderful shot into the bottom corner.
But the European champions struck back three minutes later with a headed goal from Karim Benzema after a sweeping attacking move.
Raphael Varane gave the visitors the lead in the 20th with a header from a free kick but it was former Arsenal midfielder Cazorla, who has overcome a terrible run of injuries to resurrect his career in Spain, who had the final say.
The diminutive 34-year-old Spaniard ghosted into the box undetected to nod home at the back post in the 82nd minute and give his side a deserved point in new coach Luis Garcia Plaza's first home game in charge.
Real have not won their opening away game of a new year since 2014, and Cazorla's late strike prevented them from going level on points with Sevilla and kept them in fourth place, seven behind leaders Barcelona after 17 games.
Apart from conceding the early goal, Real produced an impressive display in the first half but lost their grip on the game after Gareth Bale was substituted soon after the interval with a knock.
Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric, who helped set up the equaliser, followed Bale off the pitch midway through the second half and Villarreal, spurred on by their supporters, showed more intensity and wrestled back control of the play.
Cazorla's leveller followed a spell of pressure from the home side but Real could still have snatched a winner when substitute Isco burst into the area but was denied by Villarreal goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo.
"It could be said the result was fair, we chased the victory and had it in our hands, we wanted to kill the game off and they put us under a lot of pressure as they were at home and they badly needed the points," Real coach Santiago Solari said.
"When Gareth came off we lost a bit of sharpness in attack, we still had the chance to score a couple but we needed to attack with more clarity." Villarreal, who have reached the last 32 of the Europa League despite a dire domestic season, clawed their way out of the relegation zone to 17th in the standings, level on points with 18th-placed Athletic Bilbao.
"This result will give us strength," said Villarreal coach Garcia, who has taken two points from two games since succeeding the sacked Javi Calleja.
"I imagine that every game from now on will be a battle, a war to survive but hopefully we'll come through it, and this point gives us a big emotional boost."
May 01, 2019 · Casillas has heart attack but Porto says he is out of danger "A big scare, but holding strong. "Real Madrid and all of madridismo look forward to seeing our legendary captain back in good
Iker Casillas heart attack: 'A big scare but my forces are
Liverpool midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could return to training at the end of February. The 24-year-old has been out since suffering knee ligament damage during the Champions League semi
Dennis Brand Leads Ten Finalists Into WSOPC Harrah's Cherokee Final Day. It was one-time gold ring winner Dennis Brand who bagged the largest stack at the end of Day 2 of the Harrah's Cherokee Main Event The penultimate day of the WSOP Circuit Harrah's Cherokee Main Event is in the books.
See Cole Swindell live at Harrah's plus 3 nights at River
westgateevents.com/events/cole-swindell-2019/
Harrah's Cherokee Resort & Casino, Cherokee, NC . Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Events Center is located near the North Carolina border just a mile from the entrance to the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway and just a short, scenic mountain drive from Gatlinburg, TN.
Harrah's Laughlin found liable in fatal 2002 casino brawl
Aguero inches Man City closer to title. Sergio Aguero's 20th Premier League goal of the season left Manchester City just two wins from the title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Burnley at
Aguero inches Man City closer to title - Punch Newspapers
Premier League stars will be among the footballers taking part in a 24-hour social media boycott on Friday as part of a protest against racist abuse online. The campaign, which is being co
Premier League Stars Set for 24-Hour Social Media Boycott in
Fulham dig deep to deny Newcastle and earn first clean sheet
LONDON: Cardiff claim they are shocked by a report that the pilot in the plane crash that killed Emiliano Sala was not qualified to fly at night. The Premier League club said they remain "deeply
Cardiff 'shocked' by Sala pilot report | Free Malaysia Today
Brighton moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second successive season as goals from Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia clinched a 2-1 win over Derby on Saturday.
Football: Brighton edge into FA Cup quarter-finals | Sportstons
sportstons.com/soccer/football-brighton-edge-into-fa-cup-quarter-finals/
Home » Soccer » Football: Brighton edge into FA Cup quarter-finals Football: Brighton edge into FA Cup quarter-finals LONDON (AFP) - Brighton moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals for the second successive season, as goals from Anthony Knockaert and Jurgen Locadia clinched a 2-1 win over Derby on Saturday (Feb 16).
Football: Brighton edge into FA Cup quarter-finals, Football
Guardiola expects more twist in Premier League title race
Dec 22, 2018 · Jesse Lingard scored twice as Manchester United celebrated its first match under the new coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a 5-1 victory at Cardiff in the Premier League on Saturday.
Man United's turnaround under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is
Allegri leaves behind 'solid' Juventus ROME • Massimiliano Allegri believes that he is leaving behind a squad strong enough to win the Champions League next season, after it was confirmed on Friday that the Juventus coach will depart the club at the end of this season.
Allegri To Leave Juventus At The End Of The Season
Mauricio Pochettino destined for the big time, says the man who brought him to English football scmp.com; Football: Valencia chairman Murthy says King's Cup victory 'icing on the cake' to a fine
Seville on Flipboard | Andalusia, Europa League, Sport (UK)
MOSCOW -- Here are three quick thoughts from Croatia's 2-1 extra-time win over England in the World Cup semifinals on Wednesday at Luzhniki Stadium. 1. Tireless Croatia thrive in extra time
Croatia survive England onslaught, thrive in extra time to
0 comments:
Post a Comment