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Santi Cazorla proved his class as he scored twice for Villarreal to deny Real Madrid a chance to make further inroads on La Liga leaders Barcelona.
The visitors, who made a pre-Christmas trip to the Club World Cup, looked tired and faced a rejuvenated Cazorla, who has suffered a long injury lay-off.
His curler earned an early lead before Karim Benzema’s header made it 1-1.
Raphael Varane nodded in to put Real ahead, but Cazorla’s late header moved Villarreal out of the relegation zone.
Santi Solari’s Real remain fourth, seven points behind Barcelona, four behind second-placed Athletico Madrid and two behind third-placed Sevilla.
Real’s night was not improved by Gareth Bale being substituted at half-time with what appeared to be a calf injury.
And they were made to pay by a Villarreal team, who merited at least a point for their superior attacking endeavour and had a midfielder who showed why he was so revered while at former club Arsenal.