Another poor result, another round of jeers for Real Madrid. Madrid's struggles in the Spanish league continued when it lost to Villarreal 1-0 on Saturday, infuriating fans at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium and increasing pressure on coach Zinedine Zidane.
Pablo Fornals netted Villarreal's winner in the 87th minute, prompting loud boos by the home crowd which three days ago saw their team draw with second-division club Numancia 2-2 in the Copa del Rey.
The result, Madrid's third straight without a win, leaves the defending champion 16 points behind league leader Barcelona, which can increase the gap when it plays at Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Madrid, which has a game in hand, is only fourth in the standings, behind Valencia and Atletico Madrid.
Villarreal moved to fifth place.
The host had most of the chances under steady rain, but Villarreal also threatened a few times before Fornals found the net.
Cristiano Ronaldo, who was also jeered, hit the crossbar from a free kick in the first half.