BY OUR MAN AT LA CERÁMICA
THE CHAMPIONS LEAGUE anthem hummed around the Castellón province preparatory to the clash.
In a clash that sizzled from the first whistle, Villarreal took a giant leap toward Europe’s top table, edging a 2-1 thriller against a resilient but ultimately outgunned Celta Vigo.
On a night where the “Yellow Submarine” needed their big hitters to stand up, it was the usual suspects who delivered the goods.
It took exactly 30 seconds for the drama to begin. Alberto Moleiro, a constant thorn in Celta’s side, danced into the box only to be hauled down by Yoel Lago.
Up stepped the talismanic Gerard Moreno, who coolly dispatched the penalty with the authority of a man who has done it a thousand times.
Villarreal doubled their lead before the half-hour mark through a piece of pure technical brilliance. Alfonso Pedraza—rightly named Man of the Match—produced a lung-busting run down the left before cutting back a low cross. Moreno, showing elite intelligence, let the ball run through his legs, leaving Nicolas Pépé to guide a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
The former Arsenal man looked every bit the $80m superstar tonight, playing with a swagger that terrified the Celta backline.
”We knew we had to start fast. Gerard and Nico have that telepathy,” said Villarreal boss Marcelino after the game. “This win puts us on the doorstep of where this club belongs.”
Celta, to their credit, didn’t sink without a fight. Borja Iglesias gave the visitors hope from the penalty spot in the 74th minute—though he needed a second bite at the cherry.
His first attempt was brilliantly saved by Arnau Tenas, but a retake was ordered for encroachment. Iglesias made no mistake the second time, rifling it into the roof of the net.
The final ten minutes were a nail-biter. Celta legend Iago Aspas almost turned creator-in-chief, floating a cross for Ferran Jutglà whose header rattled the woodwork. But Villarreal held firm to secure their fifth successive home win, moving them 15 points clear of fifth place.
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VILLARREAL (4-4-2): Tenas 7; Freeman 7, Marín 7, Veiga 6, Pedraza 8 (Star Man); Pépé 8, Comesaña 7, Gueye 6, Moleiro 7; Moreno 8, Mikautadze 7.
CELTA VIGO (3-4-3): Radu 7; Rodríguez 6, Alonso 7, Lago 5; Mingueza 7, Sotelo 6, Moriba 6, Álvarez 7; Aspas 7, Iglesias 7, Bamba 6.
Ref: Alejandro Quintero González (6/10)**
Do you think Villarreal has enough depth to compete in the Champions League next season, or do they need a major summer overhaul?
