MADRID: Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale both scored as Real Madrid staged a remarkable late comeback from two goals down to win 3-2 at Villarreal and stay top of La Liga on Sunday.

Substitute Alvaro Morata got the winner in the 83rd minute to cap a 19-minute turnaround that keeps Zinedine Zidane’s side on course for their first La Liga triumph since 2012 after Barca’s talisman Lionel Messi had briefly sent his side top with a late strike in the 2-1 victory at Atletico Madrid.

Real lead on 55 points, one ahead of Barcelona and three clear of Sevilla. Real, who were coming off a loss at Valencia, also have a game in hand on both of their title rivals.

“In the end we come away with three points against an opponent that can make things difficult for you,” Zidane said after his team equalled Barca’s record from as far back as 1944 of 44 straight games scoring at least one goal. “We’re happy to earn the win against a great side.”

The hosts went ahead through Manuel Trigueros in the 50th and Cedric Bakambu in the 56th, but Bale pulled Real closer with a header in the 64th.

Ronaldo equalised by converting a 74th-minute penalty kick prompted by a controversial handball by Villarreal midfielder Bruno Soriano.

Morata netted the winner with a firm header from close range after a well-placed cross by left back Marcelo.

MESSI NETS WINNER

Under-fire Barca coach Luis Enrique thanked the “terrible” state of Atletico’s pitch for Messi’s 86th-minute winner at the Vicente Calderon.

Messi stabbed home from close range at the second attempt after his first effort was blocked to register his 27th career goal against Atletico.

“It was a terrible pitch for passing the ball, but I think it favoured us for both the goals,” said Enrique.

Rafinha’s scrappy effort fired Barca into the lead just after the hour, but Atletico responded seven minutes later through Diego Godin’s header off a corner kick.

Defeat leaves fourth-placed Atletico just one point clear of Real Sociedad in the battle for the final Champions League slot.

“We competed very well, but they showed their class in both areas,” said Atletico coach Diego Simeone.

Published in Dawn, February 28th, 2017