Gareth Bale scored twice before being sent off late on as Real Madrid came from behind on two separate occasions to draw 2-2 with Villarreal in Sunday night's La Liga clash at the Estadio de la Ceramica.

Moi Gomez had struck what appeared to be the winner for the Yellow Submarine in the 74th minute - Bale had other ideas, though, and completed his brace late on with a low strike into the bottom corner.

The match ended on a disappointing note for the Wales international, however, as he was sent off in the final moments for two yellow cards in quick succession.

The result has left Los Blancos fifth in the table on five points, while Villarreal sit 16th with two points from their first three matches of the 2019-20 campaign.

Madrid's first half-chance arrived in the sixth minute when Bale delivered a terrific cross towards Karim Benzema, only for Raul Albiol to make an excellent defensive header to clear behind.

Luka Jovic - selected alongside Benzema in the final third - had an opportunity from the resulting corner, although the striker's header was always high of the target.

Villarreal's first attempt came in the 11th minute when Moreno broke into a dangerous position. The striker's effort was always rising, however, and failed to test Thibaut Courtois between the sticks.

Moreno was not to be denied, though, and had the ball in the back of the net moments later when he converted from close range. Courtois had managed to keep out a strike from Karl Toko Ekambi; the ball fell for Moreno in a dangerous area, however, and the striker converted for 1-0.

Bale sent a curling free kick over the crossbar in the 21st minute as Madrid looked to level, but Villarreal were still causing plenty of problems down the other end with talented technician Santi Cazorla seeing plenty of the ball.

Jovic was next to try his luck for Los Blancos - firing just wide of the post in the 26th minute during a period where both teams were enjoying positive moments in the final third.

Toni Kroos struck wide of the Villarreal goal just before the 30-minute mark, before Casemiro headed a deep Lucas Vazquez cross past of the post in what was a big chance for 1-1.

Zinedine Zidane's side had another brilliant opportunity 10 minutes before the break when the ball broke for Vazquez inside the Villarreal box, only for the attacker to find the side-netting.

Madrid's next chance was also a big one, with Benzema striking the bottom of the post from distance after working space in a dangerous position.

The visitors did level in the final moments of the first half, however, when Bale converted from close range after Dani Carvajal had put a cross on a plate for the Welshman.

Sergio Ramos headed just over the Villarreal crossbar in the early stages of the second half as Madrid looked to turn the match on its head. Casemiro then struck over the goal from distance with the home side coming under more pressure.

Madrid had two more opportunities just before the hour and twice Kroos was denied by smart saves from Andres Fernandez, who had to be alert to the danger.

Benzema had the ball in the back of the Villarreal net shortly after, only for the linesman's flag to disallow the goal, with the decision confirmed by VAR following a slight delay.

Luka Modric was the first player off the Los Blancos bench in the 68th minute, with the Croatian - available following a domestic suspension - replacing the ineffective Jovic.

Villarreal regained the lead in the 74th minute, though, when Gomez converted from a Javi Ontiveros cross, moments after Courtois had kept out a powerful Moreno attempt.

Fernandez had to make another smart save to deny Modric in the 84th minute, but Madrid were not to be denied and levelled shortly after when Bale picked out the bottom corner with a low strike.

Four minutes of additional time were added and both teams would have had their eye on a winner. The final piece of drama saw Bale pick up a red card, though, following two bookings in quick succession.

VILLARREAL (4-2-3-1): Fernandez; Gaspar, Albiol, Torres, Quintilla; Iborra, Cazorla (Bacca 74'); Ekambi (Anguissa 62'), Gomez, Chukwueze (Ontiveros 55'); Moreno

REAL MADRID (4-4-2): Courtois; Carvajal, Varane, Ramos, Mendy; Lucas (Vinicius 74'), Casemiro, Kroos (Valverde 82'), Bale; Jovic (Modric 68'), Benzema