Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo hauled Real Madrid back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Villarreal and regain top spot in la liga from Barcelona.
Real lead Barca by a point, but also have a game in hand on their title rivals. "We showed character to turn the game around," said Real boss Zinedine Zidane. "With everything that happened today it was vitally important to get the three points."
Bale was recalled to the line-up for the first time in three months after a long-term injury layoff and Real's shock 2-1 defeat to Valencia in midweek. And Madrid looked set for a second straight defeat as Villarreal struck twice early in the second half.
Firstly, Manu Trigueros volleyed home Samu Castillejo's knockdown before Cedric Bakambu burst onto Bruno Soriano's through ball to slot past Keylor Navas. Bale started Madrid's fightback as he rose highest to power home Dani Carvajal's cross 25 minutes from time.Villarreal had lost goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo midway through the first half to what looks like the fourth cruciate knee ligament injury of his career.