FOOTBALL: Chukwueze,s brilliance rescues Villarreal against Real Madrid

La LIga, Estadio de la Cerámica – Villarreal 1 (Moreno 76’ P) Real Madrid 1 (Mariano 2’)

By Our Editor/Agency Reports

Spanish La Liga champions Real Madrid hope of consolidating the top league position in Spain suffered a set back against Villarreal  as Gerard Moreno scored from the penalty spot to earn Villarreal a 1-1 draw, with Zinedine Zidane’s side allowing three points to slip through their fingers.

The visitors to the Estadio de la Ceramica took the lead after just two minutes when Mariano Diaz headed home a Dani Carvajal cross. There were protests from the Villarreal players after the linesman flag was raised then dropped during the build-up, but the goal stood.

Real Madrid dominated the majority of the first half and had opportunities to extend their advantage. They were made to pay for this wastefulness in the second period, when Villarreal worked their way back into the contest as the Spanish champions grew weary.

Thibaut Courtois gave Moreno the chance to level things from 12 yards out, bringing down Samuel Chukwueze inside the area. The Villarreal striker found the bottom corner of the net to earn a point for his side.

Takefusa Kubo was presented with a good opportunity to score a late winner against his parent club, but had his shot from a tight angle smothered by Courtois. The result keeps Villarreal in second place and Real Madrid in fourth place in the La Liga table.

The rhythm of the game changed when Nigerian youth sensation Chukwueze was introduced off the bench for Villarreal. Real Madrid were starting to tire and the pace and directness of Chukwueze brutally exposed this, with the 21-year-old winning the penalty from which Moreno salvaged a point for the Yellow Submarine. Chukwueze is an incredible talent and this demonstrated what he offers, making a devastating impact against the Spanish champions.

Despite the Nigeria national team player absence in Villarreal’s penultimate workout before the visit of La Liga champions Real Madrid to the  Estadio de la Cerámica on Saturday afternoon as earlier reported by EAGLE EYE WATCH.

Head Coach of the Yellow Submarine, Unai Emery confirmed during his pre-match press conference that Chukwueze is in contention to feature against Los Blancos and urged him to quickly change his mentality.

The Nigerian wonder boy was able to prove his mettle in the epic clash Saturday making the fifth time in his career he has faced Real Madrid and his four previous appearances were all starts in the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons.