Real Madrid held again despite Bale's brace

Real Madrid dropped points in La Liga once again after playing out a 2-2 draw with Villarreal, a result which will raise more questions over Zinedine Zidane's side. 

The first notable bit of action was in the sixth minute when Bale's cross had to be headed out by Albiol for a corner. Gerard Moreno then hit wide of the target for Villarreal in the 10th minute before the home side took the lead just two minutes later. Ramos was dispossessed in midfield by Moreno and he combined with Ekambi whose shot was saved by Courtois before Moreno tapped in the rebound. The VAR had to give it though as the linesman had incredibly ruled Ekambi offside despite him being miles on. 

The goal shook the away side for around 10 minutes and Villarreal were close to scoring a second goal. After that, Real Madrid dominated the rest of the half. Bale, Jovic and Kroos all failed to find the target before Casemiro in the 32nd minute inexplicably headed wide at the far stick after the Villarreal goalie came out to claim a Carvajal cross and missed it.

Zidane's men did not give up though and three minutes later, there was pinball in the home box after Carvajal and Benzema combine don the counter before Vazquez struck the side netting. Villarreal then nearly caught Real on the counter, but Moreno hit a very tired shot at Courtois. That was just a one off and Benzema find the upright just before the interval. As it looked like Real would go in trailing at the break, they found the breakthrough. 

Casemiro passed to Jovic whose lovely backheel through the defender's legs went to Benzema and he squared for Bale to tap in. It was no less than what the team from the capital deserve with what proved to be the last kick of the half.

After the interval, the visitors were on top and Ramos headed over a corner five minutes into the second period. Seven minutes later, they were unlucky not to go in front after Fernandez denied Kroos twice in quick succession and Gaspar got himself in the way to prevent Bale from scoring.

On the hour mark, Benzema thought he had scored, but he was denied by the offside flag. Mendy's ball in from a short corner was flicked on by Ramos and Bale before the Frenchman hit home. He was just off though and it did not count. It looked like it was either going to finish as a draw or a Real Madrid win, but 16 minutes from time, Villarreal took a shock lead. Gaspar's cross was flicked on by Bacca, Moreno was denied by Courtois, but Ontiveros squared for Moi Gomez to tap in. 

Despite Real's best efforts, Villarreal were defending fairly solidly until Andres Fernandez saved from Modric and then an offside Benzema. Four minutes from time though, Modric won the ball at midfield off Ontiveros and he played in Bale who made no mistake. That set up a grandstand finish which saw both teams go for the win initially until the home side quickly changed plan and played for a draw. 

There were no major chances in the last 10 minutes, but there was time for Bale to pick up two yellow cards in stoppage time for fouls on Quintilla and Iborra. A clear sign of the team's frustration. They were unable to find the winning goal and Zidane's men were held for the second week running after only getting a point at home to Valladolid last week. They are on five points, four points off city rivals Atletico Madrid and need to start winning soon. For Villarreal, this was a great result and they now have two points.