Villarreal beat Zamora in extra time to stay alive in the knockout tournament thanks to two goals from Morales
The Marcelino era begins with a gritty fightback. Villarreal needed extra time to overcome Zamora CF in the second round of the Copa del Rey thanks to two goals from Morales in the Asturian coach’s first match in his return to the Submarine’s dugout (1-2). The home side, entrenched in their own half throughout the game, had taken the lead through Etxaburu from a set piece.
The match was played ahead of the rest of this round of the knockout tournament, because the Yellows’ UEFA Europa League match against Maccabi Haifa has been postponed until Wednesday 6th December, the week in which the other cup matches will be played.
The numerous absentees due to injury and international commitments were no obstacle to a Villarreal side that was very committed from the start of the game. The Yellows dominated from minute one. However, Villarreal found it difficult to create clear goal-scoring chances due to the organised and well-drilled defence of Zamora, who were second in their group in Segunda RFEF and had managed to keep ten clean sheets in 10 games since the start of the season. The best chance of the first half came from a Parejo free-kick that went narrowly wide.
In the second half, Marcelino made two changes. Baena and Foyth, back from injury, as well as Pedraza, came on. Surprisingly, Zamora managed to take the lead with a header from Etxaburu from a free kick (1-0, m. 48).
More firepower. On the hour mark, Marcelino decided to bring on Gerard Moreno and Capoue in search of a comeback. Just before the hour mark, Baena came close to scoring with a long-range strike that forced Fermín into a magnificent save.
The Zamora goalkeeper gradually emerged as the hero for his side. Proof of this was his tremendous intervention after a powerful header from Gerard Moreno (m. 87). Just a few seconds later the equaliser arrived. Morales shot and the ball went into the goal after touching a defender (1-1, m. 88). The winner of the tie would be decided in extra time.
At the start of extra time, the Submarine had two clear chances to score through Morales and Gerard Moreno. Neither of them went in.
In the 95th minute it was 1-2. Capoue launched a magnificent run, got to the byline and crossed low to the far post for Morales to score a double.
Villarreal’s next game will be against CA Osasuna at the Estadio de la Cerámica in a demanding test for the Yellows in front of their home fans (Sunday, 2pm CET).
Lineups:
Zamora CF: Fermín; Carlos Parra, Adrián Bolo, Luisimi, Roger (Kun, m. 97); Mancebo (Javi Barrio, m. 86), Etxaburu, Carlos Ramos (Morales, m. 105), Dani Hernández (Pito Camacho, m. 97); Joel Priego (Sergi Baldrich, m. 105), Luis Rivas (Víctor López, m. 79).
Villarreal CF: Reina; Altimira, R. Albiol (Foyth, m. 46), J. Cuenca, A. Pedraza (Baena, m. 46); Kiko Femenía (I. Akhomach, m. 71), Comesaña (Capoue, m. 60), Parejo, M. Trigueros (Gerard, m. 60), Alberto Moreno; Morales (Jorge Pascual, m. 107).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 48: Etxaburu. 1-1. Min. 88: Morales. 1-2. Min. 95: Morales.
Referee: Ortiz Arias. Booked: Etxaburu, Morales (Zamora CF); Parejo, Baena, Reina (Villarreal CF)
Incidencias: Match corresponding to Round Two of the Copa del Rey at the Ruta de la Plata. A minute’s silence was held for Zamora’s youngest member.
