Villarreal took the lead, gave up the lead, then responded late with an equalizer as the Yellow Submarine held Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw at El Madrigal. Cristiano Ronaldo put Los Blancos ahead early in the second half but Giovani Dos Santos’ goal off a rebound 20 minute from full time forced a split of the points.
Villarreal vs. Real Madrid: Final score 2-2, Dos Santos’ late goal earns a draw for Villarreal
Cristiano Ronaldo’s second half strike appeared to give Real Madrid the full three points against Villarreal but Giovani Dos Santos scored with 20 minutes to play to earn a draw for the Yellow Submarine.
Denis Doyle
Madrid’s massive new signing -- in financial terms -- Gareth Bale scored in his debut, pulling Madrid even at 1-1 before the halftime break.
Real Madrid's make shift defense was nearly picked apart by Villarreal in the 13th minute when striker Jonathan Pereira was somehow allowed to sit at the far post completely unmarked. A long cross found Jonathan who brought the ball down with one touch a fired a shot that was masterfully blocked by Diego López who had come flying out of the nowhere.
Seven minutes later Villarreal would not be denied.
After some excellent ball work on the right wing, Villarreal's Jonathan got possession near the penalty spot and was closed down by three Madrid players. Cani drifted into the space left open at the top of the box and Jonathan found him with a quick pass that Cani blasted into the back of the net to make it 1-0.
López was called upon again in the 28th minute making a flying save to deny Aquino what looked to be a sure goal.
Despite the domination from Villarreal, Madrid started to look stronger as the game neared halftime. Six minutes from the break, Gareth Bale scored the equalizer, his first goal in Spain in his first game with Los Blancos.
Dani Carvajal made the run down towards the end line on the right side before dragging the ball back cross the face of goal where Bale had beaten his mark. Bale extended and was able to toe poke the ball into the back of the net, making it 1-1.
Villarreal missed yet another chance in the 54th minute after a scramble in the box left fullback Juama Costa in possession and staring at an empty net. Somehow Costa’s show went off target as he crumbled to the ground in disappointment.
Not taking their chances cost the Yellow Submarine in the 64th minute when Madrid struck on the counter attack. Ronaldo started the break and sent the ball right to Karim Benzema whose shot from 20-yards was blocked by Sergio Asenjo. The Villarreal goalkeeper left a big rebound that Ronaldo jumped on, sending a shot through two defenders, deflecting the ball off one, and past Asenjo to give Madrid their first lead of the day.
Just when it looked like Villarreal might be dropping their heads, Cani stepped up making a run right down the middle of the Madrid midfield before blasting a shot that was parried away by López...right to Giovani Dos Santos. The Mexican international striker pounced on the rebound and even though López got his fingers on the shot, he couldn’t keep it out of the back of the net.
Villarreal: Sergio Asenjo, Pérez , Musacchio, Dorado, Jaume, Cani, Trigueros (Pina 71’), Aquino, Bruno, Dos Santos (Pérez 75’), Jonathan (Uche 65’).
Goals: Cani (21’), Dos Santos (70’)
Real Madrid: Diego López; Carvajal, Pepe, Sergio Ramos, Nacho; Illarramendi (Khedira 62'), Modric; Bale (Di Maria 62'), Isco, Cristiano; Benzema (Morata 73').
Goals: Bale (38’), Ronaldo (64’)
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