Real Madrid's lead over Barça down to two points after Villarreal hold Los Blancos
Gerard Moreno's second half strike saw Villarreal come from behind to snatch a point against Real Madrid after Cristiano Ronaldo had scored from the penalty spot.
A win for Madrid would have moved them four points clear of Barcelona at the top of the table, but the draw means they end the weekend just two points clear of their closest rival with the Clasico looming at Camp Nou later this month.
With a Copa del Rey semi-final to come against Barça at El Madrigal on Wednesday evening, Marcelino made seven changes to his Villarreal side, but it didn't look like a weakened side which entered the pitch at the Bernabeu.
They took the game to Madrid early on and Iker Casillas had to be alert to stop Moreno after the Villarreal forward cushioned down a Sergio Marcos shot and directed the ball goalwards. Moi Gomez thought he had turned the rebound home, only to be denied by a fantastic headed clearance off the line by Dani Carvajal.
Carlo Ancelotti's side did eventually grab control of the game, but their chances were limited. Gareth Bale headed wide and Raphael Varane off the post, before the former unintentionally bounced the ball off the bar with a cross.
Madrid's ascendency in the game eventually converted into a goal after the break. Eric Bailly, a January signing from Espanyol, wrapped his arms around Ronaldo and Los Blancos were handed their 10th spot kick in the league this season. Ronaldo made no mistake from 12-yards, slamming home his 39th goal of the season, but his first at home in la Liga since the beginning of December.
Rather than buckle, Villarreal, who have been one of the best side's to watch in Spain this year, turned to the bench. On came Luciano Vietto and Manuel Trigueros and there was an immediate reaction. Vietto had already threatened once when his pass set the ball up for Moreno to drive the ball home from the edge of the area. Game on.
Led by Ronaldo, Madrid drove forward looking to nudge in front again. However, the Portuguese international was denied on three occasions by the impressive Sergio Asenjo. At the other end, Vietto lost his footing when he was sent clean through.
The game spiralled into a fascinating finale and both sides had chances to win the three points. Asenjo fumbled a cross and will have been relieved to see Jese Rodriguez roll his shot wide; Casillas saved Vietto's stooping header; and Javier Hernandez was denied a penalty when he went down under a challenge from Bailly.
