Real Madrid missed the chance to close the gap on La Liga leaders Barcelona to five points as they were held to a 2-2 draw at Villarreal on Thursday night.
The contest was initially due to take place before the winter break in Spain, but Real Madrid's involvement in the Club World Cup meant that it had to be rescheduled before La Liga officially starts again this weekend.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
7.32pmGood evening and welcome to Sports Mole's live commentary of the La Liga clash between Villarreal and Real Madrid from the Estadio de la Ceramica. The contest was initially due to take place before the winter break in Spain, but Real Madrid's involvement in the Club World Cup meant that it had to be rescheduled before La Liga officially starts again this weekend.
7.34pmReal Madrid are currently fourth in Spain's top flight, while Villarreal sit 18th following a poor first half of the season and will be desperate to start 2019 with a win. Right, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news for this Spanish affair.
7.36pmTEAMS!
VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Layun, Alvaro, Ruiz, Costa; Caseres, Fuego, Fornals, Cazorla; Chukwueze, Moreno
REAL MADRID: Courtois; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Lucas, Benzema, Bale
7.38pmVillarreal are without the services of skipper Mario Gaspar following his red card in the draw with Huesca last time out. Bruno Soriano and Manuel Iturra remain on the sidelines for the Yellow Submarine, but Santi Cazorla returns having been left out against Huesca. There is also a spot in the XI for in-demand attacker Samuel Chukwueze. The 19-year-old, who has been linked with Arsenal, has scored six times in all competitions for his Spanish club this season.
7.40pmAs for Real Madrid, Mariano Diaz misses the match with a back problem. A thigh injury rules Marco Asensio out, meanwhile, which has harmed Santiago Solari's options in the final third of the field. Lucas Vazquez has arguably been Real Madrid's best attacker in recent weeks and the Spaniard is selected alongside Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema. Casemiro returned from an ankle problem during the Club World Cup and the Brazilian makes the XI tonight as Marcos Llorente, who would have surely kept his spot, picked up an injury during a training session earlier this week.
7.42pm
👕✅ ¡Nuestro vestuario en el Estadio de la Cerámica! #RMLiga | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/CEZpn2Y0Xx— Real Madrid C.F.⚽ (@realmadrid) January 3, 2019
7.44pmReal Madrid became Club World Cup winners for a fourth time when they beat Al Ain 4-1 in the final of the 2018 competition on December 22. The European champions have now won that particular competition in each of the last three years, while the latest title saw them become the most successful team in the history of the tournament ahead of rivals Barcelona.
7.46pmSecuring more silverware is always a positive, but Real Madrid have serious ground to make up in La Liga if they wish to challenge Barcelona & Co. for the crown. As it stands, Solari's side are fourth in the table, eight points off leaders Barcelona with a game - the trip to Villarreal - in hand.
7.48pmAtletico Madrid are five points ahead of Real Madrid in second, while Sevilla have 32 points to Real Madrid's 29 in third. Solari's team will fancy their chances of putting a win on the board here, but they have already suffered five La Liga defeats during the first half of the 2018-19 campaign.
7.50pm
⚽ @GarethBale11's first @RealMadrid goal!
🆚 @VillarrealCF
🗓 14/09/13#HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/OV3P6HrMbQ— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 2, 2019
7.52pmIt was always going to be difficult to cope without the goals of Cristiano Ronaldo, but Gareth Bale has not stepped up to the extent that many thought that he would. Bale hit a hat-trick against Kashima Antlers in the semi-finals of the 2018 Club World Cup, but has managed just four La Liga goals this term. The attacker will be keen to start 2019 with a strong performance.
7.54pmReal Madrid have actually only scored 24 league goals this season, which is 24 fewer than Barcelona. Sevilla, Levante, Celta Vigo and Atletico have all netted more times in La Liga this term and that will be a concern to Solari. Bale and Benzema both have to improve.
7.56pmLos Blancos are entering a busy run of games as they face Villarreal and Real Sociedad in their next two La Liga matches before visiting Real Betis either side of a two-legged Copa del Rey clash with Leganes. The Champions League does not resume until February though, with Real Madrid facing a round-of-16 clash with Ajax, who will provide tricky opposition.
7.58pm
3 - Real Madrid have won their last three La Liga games without conceding - the last time they won four consecutive games without conceding in the competition was in April 2014, with Carlo Ancelotti in charge. Defiance. pic.twitter.com/OUAzlYPYIM
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) January 3, 2019
8pmBarcelona are going to be difficult to stop in the league this season as Lionel Messi continues to shine, but Real Madrid, who have won five of their last six in La Liga, are still just about in the title race despite some questionable form in the first half of the campaign.
8.02pmThree wins, six draws and seven defeats - that is how Villarreal have performed in La Liga this season. It has brought them 15 points, which has left them in 18th position in the table after 16 matches of the 2018-19 campaign. There is no getting away from the fact that it has been a desperately disappointing season for the Yellow Submarine when considering their talent.
8.04pmIt was not a surprise that Javier Calleja lost his job as head coach last month, with Luis Garcia now at the helm. Garcia has taken charge of two matches since stepping into the position - following a 2-0 win over Spartak Moscow in the Europa League with a 2-2 draw against Huesca in La Liga just before the international break. It has been a decent start.
8.06pm
#VillarrealRealMadrid | We've got our first starting lineup of 2019! Here are the 11 men @LuisGarciaPlaza has picked to face @realmadriden. 💛💪 pic.twitter.com/fHnG7ilKeE
— Villarreal CF English (@Eng_Villarreal) January 3, 2019
8.08pmSince returning to La Liga for the 2013-14 campaign, Villarreal have finished sixth, sixth, fourth, fifth and fifth. Many would have fancied them to enjoy a similar position this term, but it looks like it could be a difficult second half of the season for a team which is full of talent.
8.10pmGoals have been an issue this season, with just 17 in their 16 league fixtures. Only five teams have managed fewer in Spain's top flight this season, while only two sides - Athletic Bilbao and Huesca - have won fewer league matches. Villarreal have just not been good enough.
8.12pmIt seems unthinkable that Villarreal could drop back into the Segunda, although there is still a lot of football to be played this season. The Yellow Submarine are just six points off 11th position and there is no question that the team has enough quality to move up the division.
8.14pm
#VillarrealRealMadrid | ¡Ya calientan los amarillos 💪! pic.twitter.com/yRZVlMG9I3
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) January 3, 2019
8.16pmThe fact that Villarreal are back in La Liga action at this stage of 2019 is not ideal, but they are unbeaten in the two matches under Garcia's leadership and could cause a shock tonight.
8.18pmThe pair played out a 2-2 draw when they met in the corresponding La Liga match last season. Villarreal won 1-0 at the Bernabeu last January, meanwhile, and Real Madrid have actually been victorious in just one of the last four La Liga meetings between the two teams. Villarreal's last home league win over Real Madrid was a 1-0 success in December 2015.
8.20pm
👕👀 Take a look inside our dressing room! #RMLiga pic.twitter.com/amTcb6Upb2— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 3, 2019
8.22pmLittle under 10 minutes until kickoff tonight and the atmosphere inside the stadium is good. Can Villarreal pick up a huge three points against Real Madrid? Stay tuned to find out.
8.24pmA final reminder of the two starting teams and formations...
VILLARREAL (4-4-2): Asenjo; Layun, Alvaro, Ruiz, Costa; Caseres, Fuego, Fornals, Cazorla; Chukwueze, Moreno
REAL MADRID (4-3-3): Courtois; Carvajal, Ramos, Varane, Marcelo; Casemiro, Kroos, Modric; Lucas, Benzema, Bale
8.26pmHere we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff here. It is Villarreal versus Real Madrid in the first La Liga match of 2019. Stay tuned for live updates!
0 minKICKOFF: Villarreal kick things off on home soil...
2 min... it has been a fast start from the home side, with an attack already occurring through the heart of the Real Madrid defence. The ball bounces behind for a goal kick though.
3 minCHANCE! Huge chance for the home side as Chukwueze breaks into the Real Madrid box before looking to pick out the bottom corner, but Courtois makes a huge save!
4 minGOAL! VILLARREAL 1-0 REAL MADRID (CAZORLA)
5 minOh my goodness! Villarreal make the breakthrough in the fourth minute of the match as Chukwueze drives inside before finding Cazorla, who expertly curls the ball into the bottom corner of the net. It is a wonderful, wonderful strike from the little Spaniard.
7 minReal Madrid are all over the place at the moment and not for the first time this season.
7 minGOAL! VILLARREAL 1-1 REAL MADRID (BENZEMA)
8 minThat did not take long! Real Madrid level the scores as Benzema rises to head a Lucas cross into the bottom corner of the net. Not sure about the defending there though.
10 minI would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this match as both teams continue to commit players in the final third of the field. Neither defence looks secure tonight.
11 minCLOSE! Benzema rises to head wide of the Villarreal post as another half-chance arrives.
13 minAll Real Madrid at the moment in terms of pressure and there seems to be a lot of space in the wide positions, with Lucas and Marcelo both finding all sorts of room in the final third.
15 minIt is Bale this time with space in a wide position, but Costa blocks the Welshman's low cross. Not too much from Villarreal at the moment as Real Madrid dominate the possession.
17 minChukwueze is causing Real Madrid's back four all sorts of problems when he has the chance to run. Villarreal are having problems down the other end though, and Asenjo has just had to smother Lucas after the attacker had again found space in a dangerous position.
19 minAsenjo has to vacate his goal to clear ahead of Benzema, who had threatened to make first contact with a through ball. The pressure continues though from the team in all white.
20 minGOAL! VILLARREAL 1-2 REAL MADRID (VARANE)
21 minReal Madrid turn things around as Varane's header from a Kroos free kick ends up in the bottom corner of the net. It bounced and trickled into the corner past Asenjo!
23 minBenzema has another cross deflected away as Real Madrid continue to threaten. There seems to be so much space for the visitors in the wide areas, with Villarreal's shape not really working. There are no wide midfielders for the Yellow Submarine in tonight's formation.
25 minThere will be chances for Villarreal to score more goals tonight, but Real Madrid look capable of finding the back of the net every time that they break forward. This could be anything!
27 minThere is not much midfield work from either team at the moment, rather defence versus attack. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals in this match.
27 minSAVE! Comfortable save for Asenjo to keep out a strike from Bale.
28 minSHOT! The dangerous Chukwueze has a shot deflected behind by Varane.
31 minNot too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Villarreal are still having their moments in Real Madrid's half, with Fornals starting to see more of the ball.
33 minChukwueze has another shot blocked before seeing a low cross turned behind for a corner. The 19-year-old is wanted by a lot of clubs and it is not very difficult to see why that is the case.
33 minDISALLOWED GOAL! Modric turns into the back of the net after Asenjo had kept out a strike from Bale, but the offside flag is raised and it is the correct decision. Still 2-1 Real Madrid.
35 minIt is absolutely vital that Villarreal do not concede a third before the break. At the moment, the Yellow Submarine have possession inside Real Madrid's half of the field through Fornals.
37 minIt must be said that the first 37 minutes of this match have absolutely flown past. Cazorla sent Villarreal ahead in the fourth minute, but Real Madrid have scored through Benzema and Varane.
39 minVillarreal are now the team finding space in the wide positions as we approach the break. Cazorla, Fornals and Chukwueze are all getting on the ball for the Yellow Submarine.
40 minSlight concern over Bale here, with the attacker down following a clash with Fuego. The Welshman does not look too pleased and a chance might have to be made here.
41 minBale is back on his feet and now needs to put his shin pad back in.
41 minYELLOW CARD! Casemiro (Real Madrid) is booked for a poor tackle on Fornals.
42 minCasemiro has been a touch rusty for the away side tonight. The Brazilian would probably not have started had the in-form Marcos Llorente not picked up an injury ahead of the match.
44 minVillarreal are in control of the ball at the moment as they continue to probe.
45+1 minYELLOW CARD! Alvaro (Villarreal) is booked for a foul on Benzema.
45+2 minHALF TIME: VILLARREAL 1-2 REAL MADRID
9.16pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Real Madrid leading Villarreal 2-1. The home side took the lead in the fourth minute through Cazorla, but Benzema levelled the scores in the seventh minute before Benzema made it 2-1 in the 20th minute.
9.21pmSTATISTICS! Real Madrid shaded the first-half possession with 53%, while they had seven attempts, five of which were on target. Villarreal, meanwhile, hit the target with three of their six attempts. Two yellow cards to report - Casemiro and Alvaro both being booked late in the half.
9.26pmBENCH WATCH! Villarreal have a certain Carlos Bacca on the bench tonight, while Morlanes and Ekambi are also available for the Yellow Submarine. Real Madrid have the likes of Isco, Ceballos and Vinicius on their bench, but Mariano and Asensio are both out for Los Blancos.
46 minKICKOFF: Real Madrid resume the action here...
46 min... REAL MADRID SUB! Isco has replaced Bale at the interval. The Welshman has been unable to shake off the injury that he suffered late in the first half here.
48 minNo changes from Villarreal, but I suspect that we will see Carlos Bacca if the score stays as it is around the 65-minute mark. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals here.
50 minNot too much to report in terms of chances early in the second period, but Real Madrid are in control of the ball as they pass across the pitch. Isco is yet to really get involved here.
51 minCLOSE! Benzema sends a low effort wide of the Villarreal post.
53 minGood hands from Courtois to collect a low cross from Cazorla as Villarreal threaten in a wide area. There will be opportunities for the home side to score a second before the night is over.
55 minPass, pass, pass from Villarreal as they look to create space in the final third, but nothing to report in terms of chances at the moment. Still a lot of football to be played though.
57 minReal Madrid are going to make another change here as Valverde gets himself ready. Another midfield injury for the European champions? That would be far from ideal.
59 minPlenty of heavy challenges are flying in from both teams at the moment.
61 minPossession football from Real Madrid at the moment as they take the sting out of the match. No sign of that change though despite Valverde stripping down ready to be introduced.
63 minSmart defending from Carvajal as the defender turns a dangerous Layun cross wide of the post for a corner, which the visitors also deal with through Kroos. Still 2-1 to Real Madrid.
65 minVILLARREAL SUB! Ekambi replaces Caseres for the home side.
65 minREAL MADRID SUB! Valverde replaces Modric for Real Madrid.
65 minCLOSE! Moreno has a low strike deflected just wide of the post!
66 minSAVE! Huge save from Asenjo to keep out a close-range Vazquez attempt!
68 minLittle over 20 minutes of football remaining and I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals. Surely Carlos Bacca will soon enter the field for the Yellow Submarine.
70 minSHOT! Marcelo sees a shot blocked by Ruiz as Real Madrid threaten a third.
70 minVILLARREAL SUB! Bacca replaces Moreno for the home side.
71 minCLOSE! Alvaro sees a header drop just wide of the Real Madrid post!
73 minLittle over 15 minutes of the second period remaining and Real Madrid's 2-1 lead still stands. Villarreal are currently the team enjoying most of the possession, however.
75 minBoth managers have one substitute left if they wish and it would not be a surprise to see Ceballos enter for Real Madrid. The visitors are lacking legs in midfield at the moment.
77 minNot too much happening at the moment as we head for the final 10 minutes.
79 minCazorla delivers another cross into the Real Madrid post, but it is excellent goalkeeping from Courtois as the Belgium international comes through bodies to make the claim.
81 minPossession football from Real Madrid at the moment as the visitors look to take the match away from Villarreal. You just get the feeling that there is another big chance left in this one.
82 minCLOSE! Cazorla fires over from a narrow angle following a quick break.
82 minVILLARREAL SUB! Trigueros replaces Fuego for the home side.
82 minGOAL! VILLARREAL 2-2 REAL MADRID (CAZORLA)
83 minAnd there is the leveller! Huge moment as Cazorla rises inside the Real Madrid box to head a Fornals cross into the back of the net. It went through the legs of Courtois!
85 minLittle over five minutes for Real Madrid to find a third goal in this match.
85 minSAVE! Big save from Asenjo to keep out a strike from Isco!
87 minREAL MADRID SUB! Vinicius replaces Kroos for Real Madrid.
89 minReal Madrid have decided to start attacking again, but is it too little, too late? Villarreal are also breaking when they have the chance as we head for the final few minutes of this match.
89 minYELLOW CARD! Ramos (Real Madrid) is booked for a foul on Bacca.
90+1 minWe are into the first of three additional minutes at the end of the match.
90+2 minYELLOW CARD! Costa (Villarreal) is booked for a foul on Vazquez.
90+4 minSmart defending from Casemiro to prevent Ekambi from bursting clear.
90+4 minFULL TIME: VILLARREAL 2-2 REAL MADRID
10.22pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with Real Madrid being held to a 2-2 draw at Villarreal. Los Blancos stay fourth in the table and are seven points off leaders Barcelona. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for our live coverage once again!
