Villarreal 2-2 Real Madrid: LaLiga 2018 result, goals, match report
Goals by Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo had Real Madrid in charge, before strikes by Roger Martínez and Samu Castillejo earned the hosts a point. Cruz Azul vs America: Liga MX, live online
Real Madrid conceded two second-half goals to close the LaLiga season with an entertaining draw against Villarreal.
Gareth Bale opened the scoring after 11 minutes, meaning he has now found the net in each of his last four outings in the league. The Welsh winger is hitting form at the perfect time, and made a strong claim for a place in Zinedine Zidane’s starting line-up for the Champions League final next weekend.
Cristiano Ronaldo doubled the lead 20 minutes later with a glancing header. The No.7 left the pitch shortly after the hour mark, a clear indication that Zidane was viewing this match in the context of the upcoming final in Kiev.
Perhaps Villarreal sensed that Madrid's minds were elsewhere. Two minutes after entering the fray, Roger Martínez jinked inside and rifled an unstoppable shot beyond debutant goalkeeper Luca Zidane. It was another substitute, Samu Castillejo, who drew the home side level. The sinewy winger sprung the offside trap and rounded Zidane before rolling the ball in from an acute angle.
The result changes little. Madrid were assured of Champions League football, Villarreal were assured of Europa League. From Los Blancos’ perspective, the important thing was to emerge from the match without fresh injury problems ahead of the final. Kiev awaits.