Soccer: Real winless streak stretches to four

MADRID— 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.

“There is no explanation for this,” Zidane said.

“We did everything we could, we had plenty of chances, but the ball just didn’t go in. It’s a difficult moment for us. It’s tough for the players, they gave their best. We didn’t deserve this result.”

Madrid also drew at Celta Vigo 2-2 a week ago, and lost to Barcelona 3-0 at the Bernabeu in its last match last year. It has gone four matches without a win.

“We have endured negative results recently, but we know that we can change this situation by winning again,” Zidane said. “We have to start winning, and winning convincingly, then things will change.”

The defending champion was 16 points behind league leader Barcelona at the competition’s halfway point. The Catalan club 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 with the victory, its first ever at the Bernabeu.