Villarreal hamper Real's La Liga hopes by holding Ancelotti's men to 1-1 draw

Villarreal held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu Stadium on Sunday, to hamper Carlo Ancelotti's men's hopes of securing a first La Liga title since 2012.

Real looked to be heading four points clear at the top of the La Liga table after Cristiano Ronaldo's ninth league penalty of the season saw them take the lead just a few minutes after halftime. It was awarded after Ronaldo was bundled over by Eric Bailly.

However, Villarreal hit back through Gerard Moreno, as the striker beat Iker Casillas with a low shot from 18-yards to equal the score, the BBC reported. Real had started the game with a slender one-point lead at the summit after Barcelona's workmanlike 3-1 win at Granada on Saturday.

Yet while they extended their lead to two points, Ancelotti would consider this a wasted opportunity to keep some distance from Barca, who they visit on March 22. Real had 25 shots yet were fortunate in the end not to have suffered a defeat.

It is first time Real have dropped points at home in the league since they were beaten by neighbours and defending champions Atletico Madrid 2-1 on 13 September, the report added.