Real lose ground with defeat by Villarreal

Real Madrid are five points behind leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid after losing to Villarreal in a wasteful performance.

The hosts scored early when Luka Modric lost possession and Cedric Bakambu found Roberto Soldado to place the ball through Keylor Navas` legs.

Real, who are now only three points above fifth-placed Villarreal, had 20 shots but only forced one save.

Cristiano Ronaldo hit the outside of the post in the second half.

Villarreal dominated the early stages and could have led by more but Real were the side on the attack for the majority of the second half, albeit with minimal effect.

Real had won all five games since their 4-0 thrashing by Barcelona in El Clasico last month, although one of those was in the Copa del Rey against Cadiz - a result likely to be struck out after their elimination for fielding an ineligible player. -BBC