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| The referee unsettled Real Madrid and Villarreal got the tie |
Arbeloa played as right back and Lass in the centre of defence, leaving Kaka off the starting lineup. Villarreal pressurised at the start looking to net the opener, which was nonetheless nearly scored by Pepe from a header cleared by Zapata on the goal-line (9'). Nilmar had the clearest chance for the locals nine minutes later and forced Casillas to save the day with a stretch.
Real weren't dominating the encounter but created danger from set pieces and Pepe nearly netted a header on the 34-minute mark. Mourinho replaced Lass with Callejon in the 28th minute because he had a booking. Benzema took a shot with hardly an angle just before half-time and hit the outside of the net (42').
Altintop came on for Callejon in the second half due to the latter's injury following a late challenge by Bruno that the referee failed to see. Real Madrid started to dominate the encounter and looked for a goal, while the referee seemed more focused on their coaching area and eventually sent off fitness trainer Rui Faria (49'). Khedira missed the goal with a shot from outside the box in the 53rd minute that was followed by a Xabi Alonso free-kick that grazed the crossbar.
The Whites tallied their strike a few minutes later when Cristiano Ronaldo dribbled past goalkeeper Diego Lopez inside the box after receiving a spectacular heel pass from Ozil (61'). Villarreal suffered a blow and hardly entered Casillas' goal, and Khedira had a chance to seal the match with a shot that was cleared by Bruno between the posts (63').
Higuain came on for Benzema in the 76th minute and Villarreal looked for a goal of their own spurred by their fans. Altintop made a dubious foul outside Madrid's box on the 83-minute mark and the referee called it following his linesman's advice, even though he was just two meters away from the effort. Senna netted the equaliser from the ensuing free-kick and the referee, who always kept an eye on Real Madrid's bench area, then sent off Jose Mourinho.
Sergio Ramos saw a second yellow card in the 84th minute and Ozil was also sent off because, according to the referee in his report, he "scoffed the previous decision by applauding." Real madrid were down to nine men and didn't have time to react. Referee Paradas Romero was the unfortunate star of the encounter and made the players livid with his behaviour.
This match is over now and the Whites are still leaders with a six point cushion; they must now start preparing for Saturday's clash with Real Sociedad at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.
Summary
Stadium: El Madrigal
Attendance: 20,000
Goals: 0-1, m.61: Cristiano Ronaldo. 1-1, m.83: Marcos Senna.
