Real Madrid faced Villarreal on Thursday evening as they looked to gain some ground on Barcelona.
Madrid had a very poor start to the season by their standards. However, since Santiago Solari took over they have looked a much better side.
But before Thursday’s game, Madrid were still eight points behind top spot.
As a result, Madrid were in desperate need of a win vs Villarreal.
Unfortunately, the game got off to the worst possible start for Madrid as former Arsenal man Santi Cazorla put Villarreal 1-0 up inside four minutes.
Karim Benzema would equalise for Madrid just three minutes later before Raphael Varane made it 2-1 in the 20th minute.
However, Cazorla would once again strike late in the game to deny Madrid all three points.
As a result, Madrid are now seven points off 1st place Barcelona.
As well as failing to pick up a win vs relegation battling Villarreal, Real Madrid were dealt another huge blow on Thursday.
Gareth Bale was withdrawn at half-time vs Villarreal with yet another injury.
Bale has now played 212 games for Los Blancos across all competitions, in which he has scored 98 and assisted 63.
When fit Bale is one of the best players in the world, however, his injury vs Villarreal was his 14th since joining the Spanish giants.
It is also already his third injury of this season. Bale has so far scored 10 and assisted five this season for Madrid.
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