Real Madrid vice-captain Marcelo hailed his team's never-give-up spirit after they came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 at Villarreal on Sunday evening and remain atop the La Liga table.
Madrid looked in deep trouble at 2-0 down with an hour played -- especially as Barcelona's 2-1 win at Atletico Madrid earlier in the day had seen the Catalans leapfrog them at the top of the standings.
But a whirlwind finish to the game saw Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo [penalty], and substitute Alvaro Morata all score as Zinedine Zidane's side roared back to take a huge three points in the title race.
Speaking on Movistar TV following the final whistle, the Brazil left-back said he and his teammates had been under a lot of pressure, but had fought their way back to get the three points.
"The team knew not to give up on the game," Marcelo said. "We were under a lot of pressure, and with the help of everyone, all the teammates, we ran a lot, fought a lot and came back."
Madrid now remain one point ahead of Barca in the table, with third placed Sevilla a further two points back, and Zidane's team having a game in hand on both their chasers. Marcelo said that his team had not felt extra pressure after learning of Lionel Messi's late winner at the Calderon hours before kick off.
"We play every game with a lot of pressure," he said. "The results of other teams are not important for us."
Villarreal were by far the better team in the first 60 minutes of the game at the Estadio de la Ceramica, and deservedly went ahead with goals from Manu Trigueros and Cedric Bakambu.
"We were playing against a very good team," Marcelo said. "There are no easy games these days. We knew it would be difficult, although we did not expect to concede two goals. You must point out the effort we made."
Villarreal's players and bench were enraged by referee Jesus Gil Manzano awarding a penalty for handball against home captain Bruno Soriano with his side 2-1 ahead, with Yellow Submarine coach Fran Escriba sent to the stands for his vehement complaints on the sideline.
Speaking to Movistar afterwards, Spain international Bruno said the decision had been mistaken as the ball had flown at him and he could not get out of the way.
"You can see clearly from the TV images that I can do nothing," Bruno said. "The ball rebounded, hit me on the arm, I could do nothing. It was clearly not a penalty."