Gareth Bale made his debut for Real Madrid as the former Spanish champions travelled to Villarreal on Saturday evening.
Cani sent the home side into the lead after 21 minutes, but a close-range finish from Bale ensured that the two teams entered the interval on terms.
Cristiano Ronaldo sent Madrid into the lead with 64 minutes on the clock, but Giovani dos Santos levelled for the home side with little under 20 minutes of football remaining.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the Camp El Madrigal as newly-promoted Villarreal welcome Real Madrid. As mentioned, both sides enter the match having taken nine points from their opening three games of the new season. But at least one perfect record will end this evening.
Villarreal opened their league season with a pulsating 3-2 win over fellow newly-promoted team Almeria, before they picked up a 2-1 win over Real Valladolid on August 24. It was more comprehensive last time out, however, as they put three past Osasuna. It has been some start to the season for the Yellow Submarine.
Real Madrid, meanwhile, opened their league campaign with a 2-1 win over Real Betis in Carlo Ancelotti’s first league match in charge of the Spanish outfit. They needed a strike from Karim Benzema to pick up all three points against Granada in their second match of the season, before recording a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao before the international break.
TEAMS:
VILLARREAL XI: Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Dorado, Jaume Costa; Bruno, Trigueros; Cani, Aquino, Giovani; Pereira
REAL MADRID XI: Lopez; Carvajal, Ramos, Pepe, Nacho; Modric, Illarramendi, Isco; Bale, Benzema, Ronaldo
So there we have it. You don’t have to look too far for the main team news this evening with Gareth Bale starting for Real Madrid. Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema also make up the front three. For Villarreal, they have Giovani dos Santos returning to their side. Right, the home side get the action underway on this warm evening in Villarreal.
Bright start from Madrid, who have taken control of the possession. However, Villarreal of course enter this match full of confidence having made a perfect start to the season. Nothing from Bale thus far, who is playing on the right this evening. However, I suspect that we will see the Welshman involved at some point in the next few minutes.
Explosive opening four minutes to this match with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges from both sides. The latest allows Cani the chance to whip a free kick into the box, but Ramos is on hand to make the clearance. No real chances for either side thus far, but it has been all-action between two sides in good form.
CHANCE! Best chance of the match by some distance as Pepe slips at the vital moment, allowing Pereira into the box, but he cannot steer his effort past Lopez, who gets down well to make a fine save. Villarreal have been so dangerous on the counter attack this season. Cani has an effort moments later, but it moves high and wide of the crossbar.
Another half-chance for the home side as Pereira picks the pocket of Modric before finding a low cross into the box, but Carvajal comes across to clear at the vital moment. Villarreal have the look of a side that have won three on the bounce in the early stages of the season. Madrid have not been allowed to attack in the opening eight minutes of football.
First combination between Bale and Ronaldo which leads to the latter collecting possession just outside the box, but the flag is raised at the final moment. Again Villarreal break down the other end with the ever-willing Dos Santos, but Pepe manages to clear. I would be astounded if we did not see a glut of goals this evening.
Half-chance for Benzema as the Frenchman collects possession outside the box before attempting to turn and find the top corner in one movement, but his effort was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. If it isn't Benzema, then it is Bale or Ronaldo that Villarreal will have to be wary off. I do not envy them that is for certain.
CHANCE! Villarreal do not seem too interested in Bale's debut this evening, however, as they continue to clatter the Welshman at every opportunity. That pressure eventually allows Aquino free at the far post, but Lopez is out to make a fine save at the vital moment. Iker Casillas? Diego Lopez has been wonderful since entering the team there is no question about that.
First free kick for Madrid with Bale and Ronaldo on the pitch. The latter takes it, but he blasts his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Could Bale be on the next one? That is just about as close as Madrid have come thus far, however, with Villarreal playing the better football. Where has the opening 17 minutes gone?! It has just flown past.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments, but Madrid have just started to enjoy more of the ball. It has not been Bale's night thus far, however, with the Welshman struggling for possession on the right. Villarreal again force the issue following good work from Giovani, but the Madrid skipper Ramos is across to make the clearance.
GOAL! Villarreal 1-0 Madrid (Cani)
The home side lead with 21 minutes on the clock as Cani collects a loose ball inside the box before thumping a low effort into the back of the net. You cannot say it hasn't been coming. The newly-promoted side have started this match like a house on fire. Stunning, just stunning from the Yellow Submarine.
Madrid have just started to enjoy more of the ball in the last couple of moments with Ronaldo and Benzema linking in the final third, but Dorado and Mario have been stern in defence thus far. A mistake from Ramos almost allows Pereira in down the other end moments later, but Lopez is alive to the danger. That could have been 2-0.
Another half-chance for the home side as Pereira collects possession just outside the box before driving deep into the Madrid half, but he loses possession at the final moment. One thing is for certain, the away side do not look comfortable in defence this evening. Another goal for Villarreal and it would be difficult for the former Spanish champions to respond.
CHANCE! Stunning opportunity for the home side to make it 2-0 as Aquino bursts into the box before attempting to find the bottom corner, Lopez makes the save, it falls back to the Mexican, but Lopez is equal to the danger once more. Good grief Madrid are all over the place this evening. What is happening?!
The home side want a penalty as Pereira hits the deck inside the box, but the referee is not interested. The Spaniard would be best served getting to his feet - this is providing a welcome break for Madrid. The talk was about Bale before the match, but it has been all about Villarreal thus far. As it stands, they are heading for 12 points from four games.
Aquino is next to try his luck as he collects possession outside the box before attempting to curl one into the top corner, but Lopez is on hand to make the save. Isco has possession down the other end moments later, but it breaks down with Modric. The intensity from Villarreal has just been incredible. But can they keep it up? That is the worry there is no question about that.
CHANCE! Madrid's best chance by some distance as Ramos meets a corner from Isco, but his bullet header is saved by Asenjo. Villarreal are on the counter moments later, but Periera loses out to Pepe. End-to-end football in what has been a stunning advert for Spanish football. What a half between these two La Liga rivals.
CHANCE! The chances are just starting to arrive for Madrid as Ronaldo meets a cross from Ramos, but somehow he plants his header wide of the post. Villarreal have possession down the other end moments later with Bruno, but this time the Spaniard cannot find the run of Giovani beyond Pepe, who has struggled thus far.
Safe to say that Ronaldo is not a happy man at the moment as he has a word with the referee after Nacho is booked for a challenge on Dorado. Somehow, we have little over five minutes of the first period remaining. Where has this half gone?! It has just flown past at the Camp El Madrigal. Villarreal still lead, but Madrid have had their moments in the last 10 minutes or so.
GOAL! Villarreal 1-1 Madrid (Bale)
It just had to be him didn't it?! Bale opens his tally for the Spanish outfit as the Welshman meets a low cross from Carvajal inside the box. It is tough on the home side, but Bale has his goal. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining in what has been a stunning half of football.
Suddenly it is all one-way traffic with Madrid forcing the issue with a wave of white shirts. Ronaldo has an effort from outside the box after good work from Bale, but he cannot keep his strike down. Villarreal could do with the half-time whistle as Carlo Ancelotti's side dominate with Bale seeing more of the ball on the right.
If you had offered Villarreal a 1-1 score at the interval before the match, then they would have taken it. However, they had chances to make it 2-0 before Bale struck his first for Madrid. End-to-end football in the latter stages of the half with both sides committing players to each attack.
Bright end to the half from Villarreal as Costa finds Pereira inside the box, but his attempt is deflected wide of the post. The resulting corner is whipped into the box by Giovani, but Lopez comes a long way to claw clear of the penalty area.
HALF TIME: Villarreal 1-1 Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 1-1. Villarreal opened the scoring through Cani, but Bale's first goal for Madrid on his debut has left the score level at the interval. What a half of football it has been.
STATISTICS: Madrid have just about shaded the possession with 56%, but they have managed just six attempts to Villarreal's seven. I say just six attempts, but the home side have certainly been the better team thus far. However, you get the feeling that they may be left to regret missed opportunities.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Ikechukwu Uche, Jeremy Perbet and Hernan Perez. Meanwhile, Madrid have the likes of Jese Rodriguez, Alvaro Morata and Angel di Maria in reserve. It would also not be a surprise to see Sami Khedira introduced for a bit of steel in midfield.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of the match. What will the second 45 minutes bring? Madrid get the action underway inside this wonderful stadium.
Bright start to the second period from Aquino as the Mexican moves past the challenge of Nacho before delivering a low cross into the box, but Pepe is across to make the challenge. Giovani appeals for handball moments later as it appears to strike the hand of Nacho, but the referee is not interested. I have certainly seen them given.
Another half-chance for Bale as the Welshman collects possession outside the box before striking an effort towards the top corner, but Aquino is on hand to make a fine save. Although the referee points for a goal kick, much to the frustration of the former Spurs attacker. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive this evening.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of losing possession in the final third. More frustration for Ronaldo as the Portuguese appears to out-muscle Musacchio before advancing towards goal, but the referee awards a free kick. The tempo has certainly dropped in the last couple of moments.
CHANCE! Incredible chance for the home side as Giovani beats the offside trap before finding Costa inside the box, but somehow he fires wide of the post when it looked easier to score. How on earth is that not 2-1 to Villarreal?! Madrid are let off the hook.
Half-chance for Madrid once more as Isco drives into the Villarreal half before finding Benzema just outside the box, but he can only roll his effort wide of the post. End-to-end football in the last few minutes, but neither side has been able to find their second of the match. Little over 30 minutes remaining as Ramos is booked for a late challenge on Aquino.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with the crowd just quietened following a period of Madrid possession. Meanwhile, it appears that the away side are preparing to make a change with Di Maria close to entering proceedings. Will it be for Bale or Benzema?! We will soon find out that is for certain.
Villarreal remain a threat as we enter the final 30 minutes with Giovani a willing runner in the final third. It was difficult to know what to expect from Villarreal this season, but they have been stunning in the opening three and a half games of the campaign. Right, Madrid are preparing to make a double change.
Madrid do indeed replace Bale on his debut as the Welshman is replaced by Di Maria. Meanwhile, Illarramendi is replaced by Khedira, who has just returned from injury. Not bad to have players of that ilk on the bench! Little over 25 minutes for one of these sides to grab all the points. Villarreal's level has certainly dropped in the second period.
GOAL! Villarreal 1-2 Madrid (Ronaldo)
Madrid have their second of the evening as Ronaldo collects a parry from Asenjo before finding the back of the net, albeit with the help of a deflection. That is just about the luckiest goal that he will ever score. Moments later, Villarreal make a change as Pereira is replaced by Uche.
Make no mistake about it, Villarreal are still more than in this match with little over 20 minutes of football remaining. However, Madrid are starting to enjoy more of the possession, which is quietening the home supporters. Another Madrid corner causes problems in the Villarreal box, but Mario manages to clear.
Wonderful football on the edge of the box from the away side as Modric combines with Di Maria before attempting to collect from the Argentine, but Mario is across to clear at the vital moment. Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about at the moment, meanwhile, with Madrid in complete control of the possession.
GOAL! Villarreal 2-2 Madrid (Giovani)
Villarreal level! It's wonderful work from Cani as the midfielder bursts into the Madrid box before forcing a save from Lopez, but it falls to Giovani, who rattles his effort into the bottom corner. Game on! It is no more than they deserve.
The home side make their second change of the match as Pina, who arrived from Mallorca in the summer, replaces Trigueros. What an evening of Spanish football we have had. Will we have a winner in the final 15 minutes or so?! On the balance of play, a draw would be just about right.
Di Maria attempts to force the issue for the away side as he collects possession in a wide area before attempting to find Isco inside the box, but it is just too long for the Spaniard. Moments later, Madrid make their third change of the evening as Alvaro Morata, who has scored nine goals in seven Under-21 games for Spain, replaces Benzema.
CHANCE! Madrid come within a whisker of regaining the lead as Di Maria collects possession outside the box before attempting to curl an effort towards the top corner, but it just moves wide of the post. Lopez is tested down the other end by Giovani, but the Spaniard manages to make the save.
More movement on the bench as Villarreal make their third change of the match with Giovani replaced by Perez. Aquino is involved for the home side moments later as the Mexican finds Uche inside the box, but the striker cannot find a finish from inside the box. Another let-off for Madrid, who have gone quiet in the last couple of minutes.
It is a case of 'anywhere will do' for Villarreal at the moment as Madrid just start to turn the screw. Modric has an effort from outside the box moments later, but it was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. Both managers have made all three changes and therefore it is now up to the players to secure all three points.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Pina to send Villarreal into the lead as he strikes one from outside the box, but somehow Lopez is down to make a fine save. Not too much from Madrid in the last few minutes, however, with Cani and Bruno squeezing possession in the final third.
Corner number eight for the home side is whipped into the box by Perez, but Ramos is on hand to make the clearance at the near post. It's good work from Morata moments later as the Spaniard wins a free kick just inside the Villarreal half, eventually Ronaldo has possession down the left, but Dorado is on hand to make the clearance.
Two half-chances in quick succession for Ronaldo as the Portuguese finds some space outside the box, but the first one is straight at the goalkeeper before he fires high and wide of the crossbar. Villarreal will wait and see how much time is added when the fourth official eventually raises his board.
Half-chance for Uche as Cani, who has been the star of the show this evening, carries possession into the Madrid half before finding the striker, but Ramos is across to clear at the vital moment. We are into the second of three additional minutes in Villarreal. Will we have a winner?
Madrid continue to force the issue with a series of high balls into the box, but Villarreal are standing firm. Isco attempts to dance into the home side's box, but Musacchio is across to make a fine block. Little under 60 seconds of stoppage time remaining.
FULL TIME: Villarreal 2-2 Madrid
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to an end with the two sides level at 2-2. Bale scored on his debut for the away side, but Villarreal were well worth their point. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to look out for our analysis, which will be live before 11.30pm. Good evening!
