Real Madrid recovered a 74-year-old negative number, after losing to its host Villarreal, 2-1, in the match that brought them together on Saturday at the La Ceramica stadium, the stronghold of the yellow submarines, in the 16th round of the Spanish League competition for the 2022 season. -23. Real Madrid was defeated in its first La Liga match in 2023. Opta statistics network stated that Real Madrid lost in the first league match in the calendar year twice in a row (2022 against Getafe, 2023 against Villarreal) for the first time since 1948-1949 (against El Quiano and Barcelona, respectively). Villarreal advanced with the first goal through its player, Jeremy Pino, in the 47th minute of the match. French star Karim Benzema scored Real Madrid’s equalizer in the 60th minute from a penalty kick. Gerard Moreno scored the second goal for the Yellow Submarines, in the 63rd minute, from a penalty kick. Real Madrid’s balance stopped at 38 points, in the title of the Spanish League standings, equal to Barcelona, who has the lead by goal difference, and Villarreal raised its score to 27 points in fifth place. Opta network said that Real Madrid entered, for the first time in its 121-year history, the Villarreal match, without any Spanish player, in the starting line-up. The match also witnessed a unique event in the history of the Royal Club, which extends back 121 years, by entering it with a basic formation, devoid of any Spanish player. Real Madrid occupies the top spot in the La Liga standings, on a par with Barcelona, who are in the lead, with 38 points, and Barca is superior by goal difference. Real Madrid blew a chance to ramp up the pressure on La Liga leaders Barcelona in the title race as they fell 2-1 at Villarreal in a disjointed display on Saturday. Madrid remains level on points with league leaders Barcelona, who face Atletico Madrid on Sunday, and this season the country's two giants seem destined to tussle over the title themselves.