Real Madrid’s faint La Liga title hopes were dealt a huge blow as Samuel Chukwueze’s stunning strike secured victory for Villarreal at the Bernabeu.
Chukwueze hit a curled finish late on to leave Real 12 points behind leaders Barcelona, having played a game more.
The hosts had taken the lead through a Pau Torres own goal but Chukwueze slotted in an equaliser.
Vinicius Jr’s solo strike put Real ahead but Jose Luis Morales equalised before Chukwueze stunned the hosts.
With just 10 La Liga games remaining, Real would need a strong finish to the season and an unlikely Barcelona collapse to defend their title.
Real thought they had an opportunity for a late equaliser when they were awarded a penalty after the referee felt Aissa Mandi handled the ball as he fell to the ground inside his own box.
However, Javier Alberola Rojas overturned that decision after going to the pitchside monitor following a VAR review.
The win moves Villarreal up to fifth in the table, four points off the top four.
Barcelona, meanwhile, could move 15 points clear at the top when they host Girona on Monday.
Line-ups
Real Madrid
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Courtois
- 17Vázquez
- 22Rüdiger
- 4AlabaSubstituted forMilitãoat 45′minutes
- 6Nacho
- 11Asensio
- 18TchouaméniSubstituted forModricat 72′minutes
- 19CeballosSubstituted forCamavingaat 75′minutes
- 21Rodrygo
- 9BenzemaSubstituted forValverdeat 59′minutes
- 20Vinícius Júnior
Substitutes
- 2Carvajal Ramos
- 3Militão
- 5Vallejo
- 7E Hazard
- 8Kroos
- 10Modric
- 12Camavinga
- 13Lunin
- 15Valverde
- 16Odriozola
- 24Mariano
- 26López Andúgar
Villarreal
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Reina Páez
- 8FoythBooked at 69mins
- 23Mandi
- 4P Torres
- 24PedrazaBooked at 35mins
- 39TerratsSubstituted forTrigueros Muñozat 33′minutes
- 10Parejo
- 16Baena RodríguezSubstituted forMojicaat 90+1′minutes
- 11ChukwuezeSubstituted forFemeníaat 90+1′minutes
- 17Lo CelsoSubstituted forMoralesat 67′minutes
- 21PinoBooked at 25minsSubstituted forMorenoat 67′minutes
Substitutes
- 2Femenía
- 5Cuenca
- 12Mojica
- 14Trigueros Muñoz
- 18Moreno
- 22Morales
- 28García
- 35Jörgensen
- 40Hassan
- Referee:
- Javier Alberola Rojas
- Attendance:
- 57,887
Live Text
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Match ends, Real Madrid 2, Villarreal 3.
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Second Half ends, Real Madrid 2, Villarreal 3.
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Attempt missed. Marco Asensio (Real Madrid) left footed shot from outside the box is too high from a direct free kick.
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Foul by Alberto Moreno (Villarreal).
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Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Attempt missed. Luka Modric (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the right. Assisted by Rodrygo following a corner.
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Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Juan Foyth.
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Attempt blocked. Rodrygo (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Foul by Juan Foyth (Villarreal).
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Vinícius Júnior (Real Madrid) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Substitution, Villarreal. Johan Mojica replaces Álex Baena.
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Substitution, Villarreal. Kiko Femenía replaces Samuel Chukwueze.
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Attempt missed. Nacho (Real Madrid) right footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Luka Modric.
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Alfonso Pedraza (Villarreal) wins a free kick on the left wing.
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Foul by Lucas Vázquez (Real Madrid).
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Corner, Real Madrid. Conceded by Pau Torres.
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Attempt blocked. Rodrygo (Real Madrid) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is blocked. Assisted by Vinícius Júnior.
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VAR Decision: No Penalty Real Madrid.
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Delay in match (Real Madrid). VAR checking.
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Goal! Real Madrid 2, Villarreal 3. Samuel Chukwueze (Villarreal) left footed shot from outside the box to the top left corner. Assisted by Álex Baena.
