Yeremy Pino put Villarreal ahead before teams traded penalties

Villarreal hit the front against Real Madrid in the matchday 16 La Liga clash. Hours after being drawn together in the Copa del Rey last 16, Setien's side were better in the first half. In the opening minutes of the second period, Yeremy Pino broke the deadlock. 

Real Madrid, who had been poor in defence, made another and that led to a Villarreal attack in which Gerard Moreno controlled the ball in the box near goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. The striker realised that Madrid had left Yeremy Pino all on his own and he played the ball to him so he could hit a fine finish. 

Courtois did not do anything, but it is impossible to blame him as kept his team in it in the first half. In Villarreal's goal, you could see that Real Madrid were still not 100% after the World Cup. They were far from impressive against Cacereno in the Copa del Rey which saw them win with a second string team and there were worrying signs against Villarreal as well.

On the hour mark, Madrid drew level after a handball by Juan Foyth was spotted by VAR as a ball was played through to Vinicius. Karim Benzema made no mistake from 12 yards. Then, three minutes later, David Alaba gave away a penalty after the ball struck his hand as he was getting up from the floor. An incredibly harsh decision and Gerard Moreno scored from the spot to restore Villarreal's lead.

 

January 7, 2023