Villarreal 2-1 Real Madrid: Yeremy Pino and Gerard Moreno on target as La Liga champions miss chance to go top

Real Madrid fell to defeat at Villarreal who deservedly took the three points at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

After a first half dominated by the home side, Villarreal took the lead shortly after the break when a mistake by Ferland Mendy presented the ball to Gerard Moreno at the edge of the area and he squared left to Yeremi Pino to beat Thibaut Courtois.

Real were level just before the hour mark when a penalty was given for an inadvertent handball from Juan Foyth in the box and Karim Benzema converted.

Another spot kick proved to be the winner as just four minutes later, a ball from Foyth was handled by the falling David Alaba and Gerard Moreno netted the crucial goal.

Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr both had gilt-edged chances to equalise in the closing stages but Villarreal managed to hold on for a win which lifts them level on points with fourth-place Atletico Madrid while Real are still behind leaders Barcelona on goal difference.

The third best team in Spain? Not many teams can outplay a full-strength Real Madrid side, but that is exactly what Villarreal did for much of the game, especially in the first half which they should have ended at least a goal in front. With Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Aurielien Tchouameni on the field it was instead Dani Parejo who looked the most accomplished midfielder on display, while Gerard Moreno is the perfect link between midfield and attack. In front of a sturdy defence, the midfield showed they are not just finesse though, with even artists like Coquelin showed a willingness to resort to nefarious means to deny Vinicius Jr a path to goal. They are far away from the top two but, despite Atletico Madrid's pedigree, no other non-Classico side looks as impressive in Spain at present

Gerard Moreno (Villarreal) - He could have had two assists in the opening ten minutes and Real Madrid had no answer to him drifting away from the centre backs and linking play for players running through. His vision was shown with his assist for Yeremi Pino's goal and when it came to taking the responsibility to put his side back in front, he showed he was equal to the task.

Villarreal: Reina 7; Foyth 7, Albiol 7, Pau Torres 6, Alberto Moreno 6; Coquelin 7, Parejo 8, Alex Baena 7; Chukwueze 6, Gerard Moreno 8*, Yeremy Pino 7.

Subs: Pedraza 6, Morales 6, Danjuma 5, Trigueros 6.

Real Madrid: Courtois 6; Eder Militao 6, Rudiger 6, Alaba 5, Mendy 5; Kroos 6, Tchouameni 5, Modric 6; Valverde 6, Benzema 7, Vinicius Jr 7.

Subs: Vazquez 6, Camavinga 6, Rodrygo 5, Asensio 6.

5' GREAT FLICK FROM COQUELIN! Gerard Moreno's cross was a little behind him and Coquelin backheeled towards goal and it came back off the post.

47' GOAL FOR VILLARREAL! A mistake by Mendy presented the ball to Gerard 20 yards from goal and he squared to Pino whose effort slips through Courtois' hand, then Mendy's chest en route to goal.

58' THE REFEREE IS LOOKING AT THE VIDEO - PENALTY! This seems strange. It did not look like it struck Foyth's arm. Actually they are looking at a handball earlier in the move and it has resulted in a spot kick.

60' GOAL FOR REAL MADRID! Benzema sends the keeper the wrong way and is now level with Alfredo di Stefano's total of 227 la Liga goals.

62' PENALTY FOR VILLARREAL! Foyth looks to push a ball through for Gerard and it strikes the hand of the falling Alaba.

63' GOAL FOR VILLARREAL! Gerard Moreno sends Courtois the wrong way to restore the hosts' lead.