London: Real Madrid continued to struggle as they crashed to a 1-0 defeat at Villarreal, which saw them fall five points behind the La Liga leading pair of Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao.


Real Madrid's defender Sergio Ramos gestures after a failed attempt on goal during the Spanish league football match Villarreal CF vs Real Madrid CF at El Madrigal stadium in Villareal. Pic/AFP

Roberto Soldado scored the decisive goal for Villarreal in the eighth minute before the hosts fended off Real¿s surge after the break, the Guardian reported.