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Played
March 21, 2012 9:00 PM GMT
Camp El Madrigal — Villarreal
Referee:‬ José Paradas‎
Attendance:‬ 21000‎
 
Top of the Match
Marcos Senna
Marcos Senna
Villarreal
Marcos Senna
Marcos Senna
Villarreal
Flop of the Match
Lassana Diarra
Lassana Diarra
Real Madrid CF
Cristiano Ronaldo
Cristiano Ronaldo
Real Madrid CF

Villarreal 1-1 Real Madrid: Senna free-kick cancels out Ronaldo's opener and denies nine-man league leaders victory

Los Blancos lost their discipline late on as the struggling home team came from a goal behind to earn a crucial point and open the door for Barcelona in the Liga title race

By Luke Matthews

Cristiano Ronaldo, Villarreal, Real Madrid
Getty Images

Marcos Senna's late strike earned Villarreal a valuable 1-1 draw against nine-man Real Madrid, with Jose Mourinho's men opening the door for Barcelona in the Primera Division title race.

Cristiano Ronaldo's brilliant strike looked to have sealed all three points for the visitors, only for Senna to cancel his effort out with a free-kick. Mourinho, Sergio Ramos and Mesut Ozil were all sent off as Los Blancos lost their discipline late in the contest.

The league leaders remain six points clear of Barca at the summit with a trip to Camp Nou to come next month, meaning the race for La Liga looks far from over.

Real Madrid created the first real opportunity of the game in the ninth minute when Xabi Alonso's drifted an inviting free-kick towards the back post. Pepe was on cue to send a header along the goalmouth with several white shirts lurking, yet Cristian Zapata managed to somehow deflect the ball over the bar from close range.

However, Villarreal were creating chances themselves. Marcos Senna's clever pass appeared to have picked out Marco Ruben yet the Argentine striker was marginally beaten to the ball by the Iker Casillas, who smothered his shot.

Then on 19 minutes, Mario's innocuous ball looked to be under the control of Sergio Ramos but Nilmar was on hand to rob the defender on the edge of the box, before seeing his low drive well blocked by Casillas.

The home faithful felt they had a strong claim for a penalty with 31 minutes on the clock as Senna's corner was directed wide by Nilmar who was clearly off balance after Alvaro Arbeloa had been holding onto his shirt.

Despite Villarreal's impressive play it could have been Mourinho's men 1-0 up heading into the break. Xabi Alonso's free-kick found an unmarked Pepe in the box, only for the Portuguese centre-half to inexplicably head the ball straight at Diego Lopez from six yards out.

Madrid needed a moment of inspiration to take the lead and it arrived from Cristiano Ronaldo in the 62nd minute. The Portuguese attacker played a wonderful one-two with Ozil before rounding the keeper and slamming home for his 43rd goal of the season.

The visitors appeared to be heading for a crucial victory but conceded a costly 83rd minute equaliser. Marcos Senna stepped up to curl a free-kick into the bottom corner of the net, past the outstretched hand of Casillas, for what could be a pivotal goal at both ends of the table.

Mourinho was furious with the award of the free-kick and was duly sent to the stands, joining Blancos coach Rui Faria who had earlier been sent away, in four minutes of madness for Madrid.

Referee Jose Paradas Romero had been guilty of questionable decisions for much of the match, and the official then awarded two red cards; Sergio Ramos' late lunge on Nilmar earned the defender a second yellow card, while Ozil's reaction to his team-mates' dismissal also saw him awarded another caution as Madrid finished with nine men.

Madrid entertain Real Sociedad on Saturday, after Barcelona have faced Mallorca in the early kick-off. Villarreal will be looking to carry the momentum of earning a point against the league leaders into their away fixture versus Rayo Vallecano the following day.



Villarreal

13
0.00
3
Joan Oriol
Defender
0.00
4
Mateo Musacchio
Defender
0.00
-
Ángel
Defender
34′ 69′
0.00
17
Cristian Zapata
Defender
0.00
14
Mario Gaspar
Defender
33′
0.00
10
Cani
Midfielder
61′
0.00
19
Marcos Senna
Midfielder
20′ 83′
0.00
21
Soriano
Midfielder
0.00
12
Nilmar
Striker
0.00
15
Marco Ruben
Striker
55′ 61′
0.00

Real Madrid CF

0.00
1
Iker Casillas
Goalkeeper
0.00
3
Pepe
Defender
46′
0.00
4
0.00
12
Marcelo
Defender
0.00
17
Arbeloa
Defender
0.00
6
Sami Khedira
Midfielder
88′
0.00
10
Mesut Özil
Midfielder
62′ 86′
0.00
14
Xabi Alonso
Midfielder
38′
0.00
85
Lassana Diarra
Midfielder
5′ 29′
0.00
7
0.00
9

Substitutes

-
César
Goalkeeper
0.00
2
0.00
20
0.00
18
Javi Camuñas
Midfielder
61′
0.00
5
Wakaso
Midfielder
0.00
8
0.00
11
0.00
-
0.00

Substitutes

0.00
13
Adán
Goalkeeper
0.00
19
0.00
8
Kaká
Midfielder
0.00
14
0.00
4
Hamit Altintop
Midfielder
46′
0.00
21
Callejón
Striker
29′ 46′
0.00
20

Coach/Manager

-
 - 

Coach/Manager

0.00
-
 
  • Goal
  • Own Goal
  • Penalty
  • Penalty Missed
  • Yellow Card
  • Assist
  • Penalty Save
  • Penalty Shootout Goal
  • Penalty Shootout Miss
  • Yellow Card / Red Card
  • Red Card
  • Substitution IN
  • Substitution OUT
  • Injury
  • Goal.com Rating
  • Goal.com Man of the Match
  • Goal.com Flop of the Match
  • Top & Flop Global Ranking
  • Fans' Man of the Match
  • Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
 
Top Scorers
Player   Goals Penalties
Lionel Messi Lionel Messi
Striker
Barcelona
46 4
Cristiano Ronaldo Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker
Real Madrid
34 6
Radamel Falcao Radamel Falcao
Striker
Atl. Madrid
28 8
Roberto Soldado Roberto Soldado
Striker
Valencia
21 5
Negredo Negredo
Striker
Sevilla
20 3