Numbers prove why Villarreal away remains one of Real Madrid’s hardest La Liga trips | OneFootball

Real Madrid may be coming off the back of an emphatic 6-1 win over AS Monaco in the UEFA Champions League, but the reality of domestic football presents a very different challenge. 

This Saturday, Los Blancos travel to La Ceramica to face Villarreal, a fixture that has consistently tested Madrid’s resilience over the years.

Recent history strongly suggests this will be anything but straightforward, as Villarreal have lost just twice in the last ten La Liga meetings against Real Madrid at La Ceramica, recording two wins and six draws in that span. 

A look at the past

Villarreal’s most recent home victory over Madrid came in the 2022–23 season. 

On that occasion, Yeremy Pino opened the scoring before Karim Benzema levelled from the penalty spot. 

The decisive moment came just minutes later, when Gerard Moreno converted another penalty to seal a 2-1 win.

Real Madrid have troubles beating Villarreal away from home. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

Among the six draws in recent years, one match stands out above all others. Two seasons ago, the teams played out a chaotic 4-4 draw that remains fresh in the memory of both fanbases. 

Real Madrid appeared to have the contest under control, racing into a commanding lead, only for Alexander Sorloth to score four goals and rescue a point in a game that seemed beyond Villarreal at half-time.

The most recent meeting at La Cderamica came on March 15, 2025. Villarreal struck first through Juan Foyth, but Kylian Mbappe responded with a quickfire brace to secure Madrid’s first league win in Castellon in seven years.

Another narrow defeat for Villarreal dates back to the 2016–17 season, when they led 2-0 thanks to goals from Manu Trigueros and Cedric Bakambu, only for Madrid to mount a dramatic comeback through Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Alvaro Morata.

Overall, the numbers explain why this fixture commands respect. Across 25 La Liga matches at La Ceramica, Villarreal have recorded four wins, eleven draws, and ten defeats.