Villarreal CF are eliminated in the Round of 32 of the Copa del Rey by Racing de Santander
Villarreal CF were knocked out of the Copa del Rey in the Round of 32 after losing to Racing de Santander at El Sardinero (2–1), in a match in which the Yellow Submarine battled until the very end, pulling one back in the 87th minute through Ayoze Pérez.
The Cantabrian side, leaders of LALIGA Hypermotion, struck first and very early. In the sixth minute, Carlos Arana finished off a through ball from Mario García to make it 1–0.
The Yellow Submarine responded and began to create danger with a very vertical style of play, constantly looking to exploit the space behind the home defence. In the 19th minute, Santi Comesaña struck the ball inside the area, but his effort narrowly missed the post. Adrià Altimira also had a clear chance, trying his luck with a precise shot that went just over the crossbar.
However, when Marcelino García Toral’s side were enjoying more possession and creating more chances, the Cantabrian outfit struck again. Maciá was dispossessed under pressure from Sainz-Maza, who won the ball and fed Carlos Arana, who once again found the back of the net (2–0, 28’).
After the break, Villarreal, with the introduction of players such as Tajon Buchanan and Tani Oluwaseyi, pushed forward once more in search of a way back into the game. In the 52nd minute, Georges Mikautadze had a clear opportunity after a cross from Ayoze Pérez, but the home goalkeeper denied him. Alberto Moleiro also came close in the 81st minute, though his effort was again saved.
The Yellow Submarine’s persistence was rewarded late on. In the 87th minute, Alfonso Pedraza delivered a low cross that Ayoze Pérez finished clinically to make it 2–1. In stoppage time, Santi Comesaña had a final chance with a header to equalise, but he was unable to direct the ball on target and the scoreline remained unchanged. Villarreal CF therefore bid farewell to the Copa del Rey.
