Zidane's Isco risk reaps Real rewards

MADRID - Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane threw caution to the wind as his side produced a stirring late comeback to beat Villarreal 3-2 and stay top of La Liga on Sunday.

After Cedric Bakambu doubled Villarreal's lead in the second half, Zidane hauled off holding midfielder Casemiro for playmaker Isco and Real eventually emerged with all three points, thanks to substitute Alvaro Morata's late header.

The pressure was on Real after Barcelona left it late to win 2-1 at Atletico Madrid and temporarily take over top spot, while Sevilla fought back to beat local rival Real Betis 2-1 on Saturday to stay in a compelling three-way tilt for the Spanish title.

"We had to change something when the score was 2-0, that's what we did and it worked well because we weren't playing well, it was an attacking change which allowed us to play in our opponents' half," Zidane said.

"We knew they'd cause us problems as they're so good at home and after they scored twice we had to be patient and play our game.

"Given what happened earlier today it was vital to get the three points and leave here as leader."

Real leads the standings with 55 points, one ahead of Barca. Sevilla, with a game in hand on its title rivals, has 52.

Harsh handball

Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo, with a penalty, canceled out goals by Bakambu and Manu Trigueros, though Villarreal was left stunned at the penalty decision as the ball bounced off the ground and struck captain Bruno Soriano on the arm.

"You can clearly see I couldn't have done anything, the ball bounced up towards my arm and I can't cut my arm off. It's a bounce and it's clear to me it wasn't a penalty," Bruno said.

Villarreal coach Fran Escriba and unused substitute Roberto Soldado were dismissed from the dugout for protesting and Escriba said the decision was not in line with the rules.

"I respect referees a lot but every year we are told that a rebound does not warrant a penalty for handball and he interpreted it another way," the coach said.

"We were doing well but after 2-2 we completely lost our focus and it was very difficult to get over that."

Villarreal suffered another setback when goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo tore a cruciate knee ligament and substitute Andres Fernandez was a less able replacement, allowing Morata's header to squeeze under his body.

Earlier, Barca momentarily usurped Real thanks to Lionel Messi's winner four minutes from time in a 2-1 victory at Atletico.

Rafinha had put Luis Enrique's side ahead against the run of play with a scrappy finish in the 63rd minute but Godin nodded in Koke's free kick to knot the score in the 70th.

"It was a very hard-fought victory, we struggled in the first half because of their pressure and the condition of the pitch, but we scored at the end and that will give the players a huge morale boost," said Barca coach Luis Enrique.

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

Reuters