Unhappy Ronaldo subbed as Madrid held by Palmas

A substituted Cristiano Ronaldo cut a disconsolate figure as Real Madrid conceded a late equaliser to draw 2-2 at Las Palmas.

Earlier, Barcelona shrugged off the absence of the injured Lionel Messi to move to within a point of Madrid at the top of the table as Luis Suarez and Neymar were on target in a 5-0 thrashing of Sporting Gijon. 

On Saturday, Ronaldo was replaced moments after helping Madrid go 2-1 in front when Karim Benzema slotted home the rebound after the Portuguese's initial effort was saved.

However, he watched on as Sergio Araujo took advantage of some soft Madrid defending to level as the European champions dropped points for the second time. Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insisted that, despite a sub-par display, Ronaldo had been replaced to keep him fresh for Tuesday's Champions League trip to Borussia Dortmund. 

"We have another game on Tuesday and he has to rest too now and again," Zidane told. "It is obvious he always wants to stay on the field, but I have to think about my players and particularly Cristiano. "I have to take him off sometimes and tonight we did it."  Stung by a poor first-half performance in a 1-1 draw  in midweek that snapped a 16-game La Liga winning streak, Madrid pressed high from the off and had 17 shots in a wide open first 45 minutes.