Real Madrid lose 2-1 at Villarreal as Moreno shines

Real stay second, level on 38 points with Barca who visit fourth-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday, while Villarreal's third straight league win moves them up to fifth spot.

Villarreal's Raul Albiol applauds after the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Villareal and Real Madrid at Estadio De La Ceramica in Villareal, eastern Spain, Saturday, Jan. 7, 2023. Villareal won 2-1. (AP Photo/Alberto Saiz)

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Real Madrid suffered a 2-1 defeat at Villarreal on Saturday after a goal and assist from striker Gerard Moreno, giving leaders Barcelona a chance to move ahead in the title race.

Real stay second, level on 38 points with Barca who visit fourth-placed Atletico Madrid on Sunday, while Villarreal’s third straight league win moves them up to fifth spot.

Villarreal dominated from the start, with Francis Coquelin rattling the woodwork in the fifth minute before Yeremy Pino was denied by goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from close range, but the hosts were unable to break the deadlock in the first half.

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There was no let up from Villarreal after the break though and the pressure told in the 47th minute when Moreno set Pino free to charge at goal and unleash a fierce shot into the net.

Villarreal were briefly pegged back when a handball by Juan Foyth gave the visitors a penalty, which was expertly dispatched by Karim Benzema on the hour.

The hosts got a penalty of their own two minutes later when a falling David Alaba handled the ball. Moreno converted from the spot after Madrid’s protests had calmed down, sending Courtois the wrong way to secure the win.