Real Madrid goes down with unique foreign legion against Villarreal | Football

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07 Jan 2023 at 18:10

Real Madrid suffered its second defeat in La Liga on Saturday. The Spanish superpower, who started without a Spaniard for the first time in club history, lost 2-1 at Villarreal.

Villarreal converted the predominance into a lead in the first half through Yeremi Pino. After the break, Real came alongside via a penalty from Karim Benzema, but the home team still triumphed 2-1 thanks to a penalty kick from Gerard Moreno that was also used.

For the first time in club history, Real started a league match without a single Spanish player. The superpower ended the game with two Spaniards by substitutes from Lucas Vázquez and Marco Asensio.

It was Real’s second season defeat in La Liga. The team of coach Carlo Ancelotti lost 3-2 to Rayo Vallecano at the beginning of November.

Due to the defeat, Real fails to take over the lead from FC Barcelona, ​​which is also on 38 points. The Catalan top club will play against Atlético Madrid on Sunday evening. Villarreal climbs to fifth place through the victory.

Villarreal flies off the starting blocks

Villarreal started energetically without goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, who was sold to Ajax. Francis Coquelin was close to 1-0 after five minutes with a beautiful heel ball, but his attempt hit the post. In addition, Alex Baena did not have his sights set, while Pino encountered goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.

Real grew in the game and created opportunities through Karim Benzema and Vinícius Júnior, but 40-year-old goalkeeper Pepe Reina kept a clean sheet. Villarreal immediately struck after the break. Real lost the ball in the build-up, after which Mino found the net via Courtouis and defender Ferland Mendy.

Real came alongside quickly via a penalty that was used. The VAR saw Juan Foyth’s hands in the Villarreal penalty area, after which Benzema finished coolly from 11 meters. The Frenchman equaled the goal total of Real legend Alfredo di Stéfano (227) in La Liga.

Three minutes later, referee César Soto Grado awarded a penalty to Villarreal after hands from David Alaba. Alberto Moreno then held his nerve. After that, Real tried to equalize again, but great opportunities were not forthcoming.

Horace Danjuma came in for Villarreal just before time. The Dutchman had the opportunity to make it 3-1 deep into stoppage time after Courtois went along with a corner from Real, but the attacker aimed the ball just wide of the goal.

Barcelona can lead Real by three points against Atlético on Sunday. Real’s next league match is against Athletic Club on January 22. Before that, duels with Valencia (Super Cup semi-final) and again Villarreal (Copa del Rey) await.

View the results, the position and the program in La Liga

Image: Reuters

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