Villarreal vs Real Madrid, summary: Gerard Moreno penalty, goals, stats & highlights | LaLiga Santander 2022-23
Villarreal vs Real Madrid: as it happened
Signing off...
OK, that's all for today!
Thanks for tuning in, make sure you come back tomorrow - we've got a HUGE one!
Atlético Madrid vs Barcelona!
Thanks again for joining us.
Joe
Cheerio!
Ancelotti post-match comments
It was a tough game, we made it more complicated.
We didn't defend well and created problems for ourselves.
We have started this year the same as the last!
They are errors, the players have to read the situation better.
Militao did well at right-back for the national team. I wanted to put a fresh player in at right back.
They received the ball in between the lines a lot, I don't think we need to work on it, since we've already done a lot about that, but we need to focus on it.
Both penalties were penalties. A bit, you know, like that, but we have to get used to it because these are the rules.
From 1 to 11, Villarreal were superb
In the first game in Madrid's history in which they don't start with any native players, it was a pair of Spaniards that punished them in front of goal.
That's now 6 consecutive wins for Villarreal.
Quique Setién post-match comments
We had an extraordinary game today, we started well, dominating, playing in their half and creating chances.
This type of play is normal for us, it's what we want.
If you let Madrid play out, you have problems. But we did great. We were very effective and got the ball from them. I'm very happy about that.
Lots of players are adapting well. This helps us a lot to create chances and develop the play.
I haven't seen the penalties. I saw more maybe ours, was it a handball from Alaba?
A happy home side!
The Yellow Submarine celebrate a well deserved victory!
Thibaut Courtois post-match comments
We have to stay calm, it's still the middle of the season. It was a tough game.
We didn't finish some good chances, and then we started the second half badly.
I don't think it's a penalty from Alaba. This penalty will become an example of what is a penalty now.
Looking at other penalties that are given, David still has one hand on the floor, it shouldn't be a penalty.
We didn't remain calm to get back into the game.
The season is still long, there are lots of games to go yet. We didn't want to start the year like this.
A super performance at the back from Albiol.
I gave my MVP to Dani Parejo, but I could've easily chosen Raúl Albiol.
Here is how Sofascore saw the game:
It was as topsy turvy as it felt - and I didn't want it to ever end!
What an incredible noise at the stadium!
That was a wild game. Back to front and upside down, it had everything except an alien invasion. Real Madrid's sloppy mistakes ultimately punished them today but this was a perfect performance from Villarreal, and that cannot be forgotten.
They pressed like crazy from the first minute to the last and could have scored many more goals. When they needed to defend, they did superbly, the same goes for attacking. And the man in the middle, Dani Parejo, was outstanding. A well deserved win.
THERE IS NO TIME FOR MORE!
FT: VILLARREAL 2-1 REAL MADRID
WHAT A TREMENDOUS GAME OF FOOTBALL
DANJUMA MISSES AN OPEN NET
COURTOIS WAS OUT OF HIS GOAL
We're a minute over time here, and the fans are whistling like crazy.
Corner for Madrid... there's just about time.
A silly foul from Camavinga in his own half means he goes into the referee's naughty book. Something tells me Villarreal won't be in a hurry to take this free-kick.
COURTOIS SAVES FROM PEDRAZA
BENZEMA'S BACKHEEL STOPPED BY PAU!
Madrid switched the play well from left to right but the French forward couldn't get a full touch of the ball and it bobbles out of play.
Foyth gets a huge hug from about 3 different players after he shuffles his way in front of Vinicius to stop the winger from getting in behind him.
Fantastic defending.
Kroos plays a delightful cross to Rudiger who has turned into a striker but Pepe Reina gets on the ball. Danger averted.
SEVEN added minutes.
COURTOIS SAVES!
WHAT IS HAPPENING
CHUKWUEZE HITS A LOW SHOT TO THE FEET OF THE MADRID GOALKEEPER.
Ancelotti's side are all over the place!
We're into the last minute...
Asensio's poor cross is cut out by Villarreal and Benzema, who was on his own at the far post, goes absolutely crazy.
GerardMoreno and Coquelin OFF
Danjuma and Trigueros ON
Vinicius misses a clear chance! Over the bar!
The referee blows for offside.
VINI WITH THE SHOT! SO CLOSE!
He gets the ball on the left side and decides to take it inside before curling a powerful shot towards the far corner. Wide.
Dani Parejo has been the MVP for me; what an extraordinary performance in the middle, he has completely controlled two entire games: Villarreal's and Real Madrid's.
VILLARREAL GO CLOSE AGAIN!
Another recovery high up the pitch from Gerard, who lays the ball off well to Baena, but his shot is blocked.
Valverde OFF
Asensio ON
PEDRAZA WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY RUN
HE WAS SO CLOSE TO SCORING THE GOAL OF THE SEASON!
The player ran and ran and ran from the left all the way down the pitch, jumping, skipping and ducking past challenges. He maybe went too far and took the ball just too wide, closing off the angle for a shot. What a fabulous goal that could have been.
Pino OFF
Morales ON
Ten minutes to go...
Rodrygo's shot is blocked! Corner!
The tiredness in Villarreal's legs is getting clearer to see with every minute.
RODRYGO GOES SO CLOSE!
Valverde sent a cross in from the right, Pepe Reina was sold and missed the ball completely, but Rodrygo couldn't quite get the right touch and the ball bounced across goal!
Free kick in a central position for Madrid after a nice turn from Camavinga. Some sloppy challenges in the last few minutes from the home side.
Albiol booked for a challenge on Vinicius.
The crowd scream uncontrollably like a boyband has just walked on stage at a festival.
Real Madrid need to up the energy levels to the same as the home side, who are still pressing like crazy all the way back to Courtois.
Their defending from the front has been spectacular.
KROOS JUST OVER THE BAR!
His curling shot went just over. Pepe Reina had it covered.
Alberto Moreno OFF
Pedraza ON
A very, very, very dangerous free kick given against Villarreal after Coquelin crashes into Vinicius right on the edge of the box.
Modric OFF
Camavinga ON
Twenty to go...
Lucas saves Madrid from conceding a third!
Villarreal broke down the right and switched to Pino on the left; Lucas snapped up the pass before the winger could properly control it.
The game has lost all shape, there is no space or time or universal fabric to hold things together anymore. Just 22 players and a ball, everything else is astro dust.
Lucas and Rodrygo ON
Tchouameni and Militao OFF
What a couple of minutes of football. Alaba had his hand on the floor but was pulling his arm back up when the ball struck it, meaning he wasn't using it as support, which wouldn't have been given as a penalty. Fine margins.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
THE STADIUM EXPLODES AS GERARD MORENO ROLLS THE BALL IN THE NET
Gerard to take...
PENALTY TO VILLARREAL!!!!!
I CANNOT BELIEVE IT!
ALABA HANDBALL!
Back underway instantly. The stadium is not happy.
HE SENDS REINA THE WRONG WAY AND ROLLS THE BALL INTO THE BOTTOM RIGHT CORNER.
1-1
GOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL BENZEMAAAAAAAA
Benzema steps up...
PENALTY REAL MADRID!
HANDBALL!
Foyth's hand didn't change the direction of the ball, but it definitely touched it, and the position of his arm only means one thing nowadays.
Hmm, the referee is going to the VAR screen...
Foyth seems to have touched the ball with his hand when Tchouameni floated over the pass.
Tchouameni lofted a pass to Vinicius over the defence, whose shot fell to Benzema. With Pepe Reina off his line, the striker hit a shot towards goal from a metre out but somehow Raúl Albiol was there to stop it from going over.
BENZEMA OFF THE LINE!!!!
NO WAY!!!
HE CANNOT BELIEVE IT AND NEITHER CAN I!
Alaba to whip in a free-kick...
Cleared by Albiol. Who else?
The stadium is rocking right now; Madrid are probing like nosey aliens but can't quite find the right spaces in between the Villarreal players, who are set up in a neat defensive shape.
CHUKWUEZE SHOOTS OVER!
A wasted chance. The counter was perfect, Pino played in his teammate who cut inside across the box but unfortunately his shot was high and wide.
GREAT DEFENDING FROM ALBIOL
He clears a cross from Valverde that looked certain to land at the feet of Karim Benzema!
And Villarreal attack!
Rudiger loses the ball high up (again) thanks to the ultra-high Villarreal press that they're carrying out.
Madrid launch a great counter through Valverde down the right but Villarreal defend well.
BENZEMA CHANCE!
JUST WIDE!
He gets on the end of a lovely Vini pass but his shot is sliced just past the post.
Mendy loses the ball in build up and Gerard quickly switches from right to left, opening the ball to the oncoming Yeremy, who slips the ball past Courtois.
A goal out of nothing, but Madrid have started how they did in the first half.
YEREMY PINO!!!
1-0!!!
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
VILLARREAL
Let's go!
Villarreal kick off the second half!
The players are in the tunnel and we're almost ready for the second half!
Half-time Madrid musings...
Given the amount of space that Militao is finding on the right side, perhaps Rodrygo could be an option for Carlo Ancelotti for the second half... do you agree?
Quite an amazing stat
Given the wealth of international talent throughout Madrid's long history, it seems quite incredible that until today there has always been a Spanish player in the side.
No added time! That's all for now!
HT: Villarreal 0-0 Madrid
What a crazy game. If you told me it was 5-0, 5-5 and 0-5, I'd believe them all. Neither team has taken a moment to rest and the chances have flown in from all angles from the first whistle right up until half-time.
I can't say who definitely deserves to be ahead, as both teams have shown moments of strength and weakness during the half.
Let's hope the second half of the game is a loco as the first!
PAREJO SHOT SAVED!
The long spell on the ball ends with Parejo hitting a weak volley into Courtois' grasp.
Villarreal with some sustained possession, which drags Madrid all over the pitch. They're chasing shadows.
Rudiger gets angry as he is made to stand with the ball for what seems like 2 years as his teammates get into space to receive possession. Madrid asleep again.
WHAT A SAVE FROM REINA!
The best move of the game for Madrid, without a doubt. Valverde from the right sends a high cross to Benzema on the edge of the box.
The Frenchman, on the volley, caresses the ball to the overlapping Vinicius but his shot is well saved.
Real Madrid gift a corner to Villarreal with a strangely terrible Valverde pass that flies backwards and straight out.
Real Madrid are yet to wake up.
Militao again with another poor cross: Modric played him in behind the defence but he decided to hit the ball on the volley and it dribbled towards Reina in goal.
Modric, Valverde and Militao link up nicely down the right side but the Brazilian's cross is way too heavy and flies over everybody and out for a throw on the other side.
BENZEMA AND VINI CAN'T GET PAST ALBIOL!
The duo were away against the central defender but it was the Villarreal man who judged the space perfectly to stop the 2vs1!
Alaba makes an extraordinary clearance over his head on the edge of the box.
It was completely necessary, Villarreal had them sliced open like a melon.
Some last-gasp defending from Real Madrid, who just about clear two consecutive crosses from Villarreal's left side.
It's the home team that are now 100% on top, Madrid have no intention of attacking for now, they're fully focussed on surviving this onslaught.
OH MY! THAT WAS CLOSE!
The ball was sent to the far post before being headed across the Madrid goal, but Valverde was there to clear.
Militao penalised for a foul on Álex Baena. The two protagonists so far.
Villarreal will sent a free-kick in from the left.
ÁLEX BAENA WITH SUCH A CLOSE CHANCE!
His curls a wonderfully powerful shot just over the bar. Courtois had no chance.
Modric is keeping a very close eye on Dani Parejo, maybe getting some tips from the midfielder.
A huge smile from Vinicius as the referee gives a decision that goes against Real Madrid, awarding a goal-kick to the home side. He's such a smiley guy.
BAENA GOES CLOSE!
Great footwork from Chukwueze allowed him to cut inside and play a pass to Álex Baena, whose shot fizzed past the left post.
WHAT A SAVE FROM COURTOIS!
THE GOALKEEPER JUST GREW 100 SIZES!!!
Fantastic work from Villarreal: Gerard slipped in Yeremy all on his own behind Militao but the forward could only hit the huge structure of the giant Belgian.
Pau Torres hacks away a dangerous-looking Vinicius Jr cross. Benzema was sniffing around.
MILITAO MISSES A GREAT CHANCE!
The defender was played through down the wing and he burned away from everybody with the ball, right before remembering he's a centre-back. His effort came as a result of not looking at Benzema, who was on his own, and the fact that shooting is not his best quality.
Real Madrid's pre-match cereal seems to have kicked in, as they've got Villarreal pegged right back in their own defensive third.
But the home side look perfectly comfortable to launch counter attacks with Samu and Yeremy...
The referee has just let a couple of small fouls go for each side, which has sped the game up immensely. Well done, Mr Referee.
Pau is the first into the referee's naughty book for an arm in Militao's face. The Madrid defender was breaking down the right (he's been Madrid's most daring player so far).
Benzema fires over after lovely work with Vini down the left. Real Madrid are growing into the game, but Villarreal continue to dominate the space on the pitch.
Parejo switches left, then right, then left again, acting as the sniffer dog of Villarreal, hunting for the right clues with his senses that we only wish we had.
CHANCE FOR MADRID! RAUL ALBIOL OFF THE LINE!
Luka Modric, what a player. The Croatian plays a pass with the outside of his boot that rolls through the legs of the opponent and slices the defence in two, landing perfectly at the feet of Vini on the right side. The Brazilian's cross is fired in with all his might but Raúl Albiol scoops it away from goal before Benzema could get there.
MIlitao puts in a weak cross in from the right that flies straight into Reina's arms.
Kroos whips in a free kick form the left but Villarreal defend superbly well, forcing the away side all the way back to Courtois. Full control so far for the Yellow Submarine.
Real Madrid with some possession now, for the first time since the game started. But it's not comfortable; Villarreal are harassing them and the European champions look rattled.
OFF THE POST! COQUELIN!
What a chance! Moreno's cross was met by the midfielder but he couldn't control a spinning backheel to go just inside the post. So close. It could be 3 for the home side already...
Ancelotti is not a happy bunny rabbit, he's going crazy at his players and has his angry eyebrow out.
MORE PROBLEMS FOR MADRID - SAVED BY MILITAO
The ball from Samu Chukwueze came from the right after he got in behind the defence and Militao was there to stop the ball from falling to Pino. Nervous.
PAREJO CHANCE!
The ball falls to the midfielder from a corner but his volley goes wide...
Shaky from Los Blancos as Rudiger makes a second mistake in 2 minutes.
HUGE CHANCE FOR VILLARREAL!
AFTER ONLY 30 SECONDS
Rudiger loses the ball in the build up and Villarreal counter excellently, with the ball flying over the bar at the end of the move!
Karim Benzema kicks us off!
Here's a reminder of the starting XIs
Villarreal: Reina; Foyth, Albiol, Pau Torres, Moreno; Coquelin, Parejo, Baena; Gerard, Chukwueze, Pino.
Madrid: Courtois; Militao, Alaba, Rudiger, Mendy; Tchouaméni, Modric, Kroos, Valverde, Vinicius, Benzema.
The players are in the tunnel, the mascot is doing a strange dance on the pitch... we're ready to go!
"First one of the year. Let's go!"
Éder's had his phone in the changing room... is someone going to tell Papa Carlo?
Eyes on the goal...
Benzema will be looking to put the bad end to 2022 behind him and get 2023 off to a flyer!
Will he get on the scoresheet this afternoon?
Fifteen minutes to go!
The players are concluding their warmups and are getting ready to head down the tunnel...
How the table looks for Villarreal:
Villarreal sit 7th in La Liga, just 5 points away from Real Sociedad, in 4th (29 points).
The Yellow Submarine are in a mini-league with La Real, Athletic, Betis, Rayo and Osasuna, the teams that are all fighting for those coveted European spots in the league table.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 25 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 |
| 6 | 25 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 4 |
| 7 | 24 | 15 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
| 8 | 23 | 15 | 6 | 5 | 4 |
| 9 | 23 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 6 |
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A win today for Los Blancos would put Barcelona under a lot of pressure to get a result against a tricky Atlético side tomorrow. Real Madrid are chasing a league title that would form part of a historic sextuple, something that has never been done before.
How things look with half an hour to go:
It's very sunny at the Cerámica, quite like a nice summer evening. The stadium is filling up nicely - it's a sold-out game today - and Real Madrid have just started their warm-up.
Serious faces all round...
Well, except Setién, who knows he's put out an incredibly strong starting XI to face Real Madrid today.
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Here's how Real Madrid got on last time they played, against Cacereño in the Copa del Rey.
Villarreal injury news:
It appears that Étienne Capoue is out of today's game with a muscular injury.
Let's hope he's back soon, he's a huge loss for the Yellow Submarine.
Happy birthday, Eden Hazard
Eden Hazard's Real Madrid career has been an unmitigated disaster. 7 goals in 73 matches is not even close to a shadow of what he showed at Chelsea, and his time in Spain can only be described in negative terms. He has not had a single defining moment, playing an average of just 50 minutes per game, and creating little to nothing for his teammates during that time.
He has not been vilified in the way that Gareth Bale was, and to be honest, I don't know why. At least Bale had some moments of success and drive to succeed at the most demanding club in the world before things turned sour.
Against Cacereño, Hazard was given chance number I-don't-know, and failed to take it, being hooked off the field with plenty of time to spare. It's his 32nd birthday today, but I don't think a card and gift and coming his way from the manager at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
Here's how Villarreal line up:
If you can read that writing, there's actually a very strong team in there...
Real Madrid have arrived!
And Carlo's got his serious face on...
Here's the preview for today's game, plus all the information you might need on how you can watch it, and anything else you could possibly think of, including numerous marine puns. Basically, all the info.
The Estadio de la Cerámica looks splendid this afternoon
What a beautiful pitch, slightly better than the one at Cacereño.
The Copa del Rey round of 16 was drawn today: guess who Real Madrid got?
OK, now guess who Villarreal got... that's right... each other!
Yes, Villarreal will play Real Madrid again, this time in the cup, on either the 17, 18 or 19 of January.
And the Madrid dressing room is set to go!
It's going to be all-yellow vs all-white, and that makes me happy.
Real Madrid starting XI!
That's about as strong a side as Carlo could have picked!
One player who featured against Cacereño was Eden Hazard - remember him? The Belgian winger celebrates his 32nd birthday today, but something tells me he will have to be extra good if he is to get a birthday present from Ancelotti in the shape of some minutes on the football pitch.
But, some suggest that the forward might be about the leave Real Madrid and join up with Cristiano Ronaldo at everybody's new favourite club, Al-Nassr.
Here is Real Madrid's potential starting XI for the game given the absentees and injuries.
Team news and recap: Villarreal
Villarreal have held Real Madrid to goalless draws in their last two league meetings, and will be looking to keep up the good defensive record today.
They will have to do so without Gio Lo Celso and Francis Coquelin, who are both injured. Also absent is goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, who has moved to Ajax.
Apart from that, Quique Setién has a full strength squad to choose from and will most likely make a host of changes to the side that beat Cartagena in the week.
Team news and recap: Real Madrid
Mariano, Carvajal and Odriozola are the only confirmed absences for Los Blancos, while goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was a slight doubt ahead of the game, but should be OK to start in an XI that will no doubt see major changes from the one that faced Cacereño in the Copa del Rey in midweek.
The European Champions travelled to Extremadura in Spain's south-west to play the side from Segunda RFEF at the Estadio Principe Felipe, where they won 0-1, thanks to a Rodrygo goal.
In terms of the title race, Madrid sit joint-top with Barcelona on 38 points after 15 games; the Catalan side play Atlético Madrid tomorrow.
Hello!
It's Joe here today and this time we have got another cracker: Villarreal vs Real Madrid in La Liga!
Thanks for joining AS USA for all the laughter and tears today's game is surely going to give us. I hope your team wins!