Diego Milito put the home side ahead just after the break but Ronaldo’s powerful strike denied Zaragoza, who crushed Real 6-1 on the same field last month in the King’s Cup, a much deserved win.

Despite the draw, Real moved down to third spot on 54 points, one behind second-place Osasuna and 13 adrift of holders and runaway leaders Barcelona, who came from behind to beat Getafe 3-1 on Tuesday.

After an almost eventless half, Argentinean striker Milito, who pinned four goals into Real’s net this season, gave Zaragoza the lead when he nipped in between keeper Iker Casillas and defender Alvaro Mejia to poke into the unguarded net.

But Ronaldo managed to end his seven-match scoring drought in the dying seconds when he scuffed a loose ball and drilled a venomous shot home for the equalizer.