Villarreal lose against RCD Mallorca in a match where three penalties were given
Villarreal lost 3-1 to RCD Mallorca at San Moix in a match where a total of three penalties were given, two for the Balearics side and one for the Submarine. The goals were scored by Lago Júnior, Dani Rodríguez and Take Kubo for Mallorca, and Santi Cazorla for Villarreal.
Javi Calleja lined up a starting XI with Rubén Peña at left-back. With Mario Gaspar on the right of the defence, the rest of the team was recognisable from recent games.
It was a rainy morning at Son Moix and it was hard for Villarreal to get into a good rhythm. The home side went ahead on the scoreboard early on after a controversial piece of play where Kubo fell down in the box after touching Vicente Iborra, with the Yellows No.10 having both feet planted on the floor. Referee Carlos del Cerro Grande decided it was a penalty and Lago Júnior scored from the spot (1-0, m.12).
The Yellows tried to get going, but soon went 2-0 down, from the penalty spot once more. This time, the referee pointed to the spot after Sergio Asenjo brought down Aleix Febas. Dani Rodríguez found the back of the net from the spot (m.23). The Submarine were frustrated, although they were patient as they dried to find the best way of causing Mallorca problems.
Villarreal nearly scored twice before the break. First of all, Moi Gómez crossed from the right and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa shot after controlling the ball in the box, but was denied by an incredible save by Manolo Reina (m.39). In the 44th minute, it was Mario’s turn to go close. The right-back got on the end of a low Gerard Moreno cross, but a great block from Lumor denied him what looked like a certain goal.
Calleja looked to the bench at the break. Samu Chukwueze came on for Iborra. Anguissa dropped back and Villarreal went more attacking as they looked for the comeback. The Yellows did manage to cut the home side’s lead early on in the second half. Antonio Raíllo pulled Gerard’s shirt in the box, with the defender also kicking the Catalan striker’s head as he tried to clear the ball. Cazorla stepped up to take the spot-kick and made it 2-1 (m.48).
The match did not stay 2-1 for long, with Mallorca going further ahead after 52 minutes. Kube received the ball at the edge of the area, and scored with a great effort past Asenjo (3-1).
Villarreal dominated the ball and had chances, while the home side looked danger on the counter. Karl Toko Ekambi, twice, and Raúl Albiol could have scored, but the Yellows were unable to add to Cazorla’s goal.
Next up for the Submarine is a home match against Celta Vigo (Sunday, 24th November).
Lineups:
RCD Mallorca: Reina; Sastre, Valjent, Raíllo, Lumor (Xisco Campos, m. 85); Take Kubo (Señé, m. 65), Dani Rodríguez, Baba, Febas; Budimir (Abdón, m. 82), Lago Júnior.
Villarreal CF: Asenjo, Rubén Peña, Albiol, Pau, Mario Gaspar (Trigueros, m. 80); Cazorla, Anguissa, Iborra (Chukwueze, m. 46), Moi Gómez (Ontiveros, m. 67); Gerard, Toko Ekambi.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 12: Lago Júnior (p). 2-0. Min. 23: Dani Rodríguez (p). 2-1. Min. 48: Cazorla (p). 3-1. Min. 52: Take Kubo.
Referee: Del Cerro Grande. Booked: Dani Rodríguez (Mallorca); Asenjo, Rubén Peña, Albiol (Villarreal).
Matchday Information: LaLiga Matchday 13 at Son Moix.
