Villarreal fall to defeat against Sporting CP after solitary penalty goal from Hjulmand
Villarreal CF suffered their first defeat of pre-season, narrowly losing 1-0 to Sporting CP in the Trofeo Cinco Violinos. The only goal came in the early stages from the penalty spot, converted by Morten Hjulmand following a contentious handball decision. Despite the result, the Yellows created several clear chances and arguably deserved more from the match. The trophy remains in Portugal.
The Portuguese side went ahead under controversial circumstances. The referee pointed to the spot after the ball struck Kambwala’s arm inside the area. Hjulmand stepped up and converted from 12 yards (1-0, 7’).
The Yellow Submarine responded in search of an equaliser. Yeremy Pino came close with a powerful effort from the edge of the box that was saved by João Virgínia. Villarreal controlled possession and pushed forward, while Sporting looked to hit on the counter with long balls in behind.
As is common in pre-season, Marcelino made a number of changes after the break. Foyth, S. Cardona, Cabanes and Alberto Moleiro all came on at the start of the second half, while Rubén Gómez, a goalkeeper from the academy, had already replaced Luiz Júnior late in the first half.
Villarreal came out strong after the restart. Moleiro produced a brilliant through ball for Etta Eyong, whose powerful strike crashed against the post (49’).
Moments later, Moleiro again came close, this time with an acrobatic effort that flashed just wide of the upright.
The Yellows grew stronger as the match went on, creating a number of clear chances. Pau Cabanes and Moleiro both threatened, the latter with a header, but the equaliser never came.
The match ended in defeat, and the Trofeo Cinco Violinos stayed at home with Sporting CP.
Villarreal now return to Spain, where their next fixtures will be against Genoa and Real Oviedo in a triangular tournament taking place at the Estadio Carlos Tartiere on Thursday 31st July.
Line-ups:
Sporting CP: João Virgínia; Matheus Reis, Hidemasa Morita, Pedro Gonçalves, Conrad Harder, Geny Catamo, Francisco Trincão, Iván Fresneda, Gonçalo Inácio, Ousmane Diomande and Morten Hjulmand.
Also played: Debast, Jeremiah St. Juste, Geovany Quenda, Alisson Santos, Ricardo Esgaio, Eduardo Quaresma, João Simões, Rayan Lucas.
Villarreal CF: Luiz Júnior (Rubén Gómez 36’); Pau Navarro, Rafa Marín, Kambwala, Alfonso Pedraza; Pepe Reina, Dani Parejo, Gueye, Yeremy Pino; Gerard Moreno and Etta Eyong.
Also played: Foyth, S. Cardona, Cabanes, A. Moleiro, Danjuma, Denis Suárez, A. Altimira, Diego Conde, Thierno Barry, Santi Comesaña.
Goals: 1-0, 7’: Hjulmand (p)
Referee: Ricardo Baixinho (Portugal). Booked: Matheus Reis, Conrad Harder, Ricardo Esgaio (Sporting CP); Booked: Yeremy, Etta Eyong, Pau Navarro (Villarreal CF)
Stadium: Estadio Nacional do Jamor, Lisbon.
Match information: Third pre-season friendly for Villarreal CF, corresponding to the Trofeo Cinco Violinos. A minute’s silence was held in memory of footballer Diogo Jota and his brother André Silva.
