MADRID: Real Madrid’s record-equalling 16-game La Liga win streak came to an end as Villarreal held out for a 1-1 draw at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday.
The European champions were looking to surpass the Liga mark of 16 wins first set by Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona in 2010-11, but were made to pay for a sluggish first-half display.
Villarreal captain Bruno Soriano put the visitors in front from the penalty spot just before half-time before Sergio Ramos levelled after the break.
And despite a surge of late pressure, Madrid couldn’t find a winner as the returning Gareth Bale was substituted and Cristiano Ronaldo frustrated by the heroics of Villarreal keeper Sergio Asenjo.
Ronaldo and Bale returned to the Madrid side that won 2-0 at Espanyol on Sunday to set a club record with their 16th straight La Liga win.
However, it was Villarreal who enjoyed the better chances of the opening period. Denis Cheryshev, a summer signing from Madrid, was unlucky not to give the visitors the lead when his rising drive was turned over by Kiko Casilla.
Villarreal got their reward just before half-time when Ramos handled Manu Trigueros’s shot and referee Jose Luis Gonzalez pointed to the spot.
{{/usCountry}}Villarreal got their reward just before half-time when Ramos handled Manu Trigueros’s shot and referee Jose Luis Gonzalez pointed to the spot.
{{/usCountry}}Captain Bruno stepped up and coolly chipped the ball down the middle of the goal past Casilla.
Ramos made amends right at the start of the second-half when he rose highest to head home James Rodriguez’s corner.