CNN
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It is one of the most famous Spanish clubs in the world, if not the most famous.
But for the first time in their history, according to sports data companies Opta Sports and Gracenote, Real Madrid haven’t fielded any Spanish players in their starting line-up for a LaLiga match as Carlo Ancelotti opted for a Belgian, two Brazilians, an Austrian, two Germans. , three French, a Croatian and a Uruguayan against Villarreal on Saturday.
Despite the international talent on display, however, Los Blancos succumbed to a 2-1 loss to Villarreal at the Estadio de la Cerámica, and repelled a chance to top La Liga.
It’s only the second league defeat of the season for Real Madrid and an important victory for the Yellow Submarines which puts them level on points with fourth place Atlético Madrid in the table.
The first half ended goalless, although Villarreal came close to scoring in the fifth minute when Francis Coquelin hit the woodwork from the center of the box.
It didn’t take long after half-time for the Yellow Submarines to take the lead with Yeremy Pino’s 47th-minute goal.
Karim Benzema equalized soon after, netting a penalty into the right corner of the goal, after the video assistant referee (VAR) confirmed a Villarreal handball.
But just three minutes later, Villarreal took the lead with a penalty following another handball in the box.
Gerard Moreno made no mistakes and converted from the spot as Villarreal held on for victory.
