Villarreal B lose for the first time this season at the Mini Estadi
Miguel Álvarez’s side lost for the first time this season at the Mini Estadi after losing 0-1 to UD Las Palmas. The match was dominated by the Mini Submarine for long periods, with good chances for Álex, Juan Carlos Arana and Fer Niño, but they were unable to get a positive result.
The Yellows’ second team went into the game hoping to stay unbeaten at home in the last game at the Mini Estadi before heading to the new-look Estadio de la Cerámica. The start of the game was tight, and there were no clear goalscoring chances for either side in the opening moments.
In the 15th minute, there was an unexpected twist to the game, with Mfulu sent off after a heavy challenge on Niño. From then on, Villarreal B put pressure on the side from the Canary Islands, and Forés could have made it 1-0 after a great piece of play that involved Dani Tasende and Sergio Lozano. However, it was UD Las Palmas who took the lead, after a great individual goal scored by Marc Cardona.
Miguel Álvarez’s team reacted positively, and through possession of the ball, started to control the game. The clearest chance for the Yellows was a back-heel from Forés, which if it had gone in, would have been goal of the weekend. However, at the break, it was the away side who went to the dressing rooms in the lead.
At the start of the second half, Villarreal B went looking for the equaliser, and could have got it after a few seconds through Forés, who had an effort saved from just six yards out. As the half went on, the Yellows’ continued to dominate, but they could not find the back of the net despite having a number of great chances. With an hour on the clock, the referee Cordero Vega pointed to the penalty spot after a challenge on Forés, but after a VAR check, it was decided that there was no foul.
The Mini Submarine did not give up, and with ten minutes left, Arana went through on goal, but hit the post. Luck wasn’t with the Yellows. Just after that chance, Forés had another opportunity to draw level, but the away team’s goalkeeper was on top form.
In the closing stages, the home side launched an onslaught as they tried to get the equaliser, but the goal didn’t arrive despite trying everything. At full-time, the points went to Las Palmas, who overcame a Villarreal B side that were previously unbeaten at the Mini Estadi.
Lineups:
Villarreal B: Jorgensen; M.A. Leal (min. 74, Tiago), Mbacke, Dela, Tasende (min. 90, Iosifov); Ontiveros (min. 74, Arana), A. Del Moral, Carlo (min.46, Pacheco), S. Lozano; Fer Niño (min.46, Haissem); Forés.
UD Las Palmas: A. Domínguez; Álex Suárez, E. Curbelo, Coco, Cardona; Oscar (min. 22, Fabio), Loiodice, Mfulu, Pejiño (min. 65, Álvaro J.G.), A. Moleiro (min. 85, Clemente); Marc (min. 65, Andone).
Referee: Cordero Vega. Booked: Mbacke, Carlo, A. Del Moral, Haissem, Arana (Villarreal B); E. Curbelo, Cardona, Fabio (UD Las Palmas). Sent off: Mfulu (UD Las Palmas).
Goal: 0-1. Min. 28: Marc.
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal B and UD Las Palmas, corresponding to Matchday 21 of the 2022/23 LaLiga SmartBank season, at the Mini Estadi. Attendance: 1,565.
