Villarreal lose in the last minute of extra-time at the Ciutat de València (1-0)
A sad and cruel end to Villarreal’s Copa del Rey run. The Yellows lost 1-0 to Levante UD in the last minute of a game that went to extra-time and finished late on with Roger scoring for the home side.
Unai Emery lined up with a starting XI with experience, despite a number of players missing through injury. The Submarine lined up in Valencia with a 5-3-2 formation: Rulli; R. Peña, Foyth, R. Albiol, Pau, A. Pedraza; Parejo, Coquelin, M. Trigueros, Moi Gómez; Alcácer.
The Yellows started full of energy and with ímpetus. The first chance of the game went to the away side, and was straight off the training ground. Pau Torres’ header was saved well after a lovely move from a corner that involved Dani Parejo, Moi Gómez and Manu Trigueros.
From the start, both teams allowed it to be an open game with chances for the two sides. Villarreal took control of the ball, and Levante pressed high to try and surprise the Submarine.
With half an hour on the clock, Villarreal were making their presence known in the final third. Alfonso Pedraza made Cárdenas make a great save after a great pass from Trigueros in the 33rd minute.
With five minutes until the end of the first half, Villarreal had another chance through Trigueros, whose low shot from the edge of the box was saved by the Levante goalkeeper.
It was 0-0 at half-time, with Villarreal on top, but lacking cutting edge in attack.
The second half started in the same way that the first had ended, with Emery’s side on top and having chances. Paco Alcácer had a great chance to open the scoring. The forward got on the end of an exceptional Trigueros pass, and his powerful right-footed effort was saved brilliantly by Cárdenas.
With an hour on the clock, the game became more even. Levante had made substitutions and started to cause more danger to the Yellows. As the game went on, it went against the Submarine, who were notably more tired than their opponents.
With just one minute left of normal time Villarreal had a great chance to get the win. A free-kick by Parejo made Cárdenas punch the ball out with difficulty. The rebound fell to Baena, whose shot was cleared off the line by a Levante defender.
Neither team could get the breakthrough in the 90 minutes. With the score at 0-0, it went to extra time. In the 120th minute, Levante got the winner through Roger. A cruel end for the Yellows, who fought until the end.
Lineups:
Levante UD: Cárdenas; Son (Melero, m. 54), Postigo, Vezo, Toño (Clerc, m. 75); Coke (Miramón, m. 65), Radoja, Malsa (Roger, m. 65), Rochina (Morales, m. 54), Bardhi; Dani Gómez (Sergio León, m. 105).
Villarreal CF: Rulli; R. Peña (Estupiñán, m. 65), Foyth, R. Albiol, Pau, A. Pedraza; Parejo, Coquelin (Fer Niño, m. 90), M. Trigueros, Moi Gómez (Álex B., m. 50); Paco Alcácer (Bacca, m. 86).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 120: Roger.
Referee: Soto Grado. Booked: Bardhi, Rochina, Postigo, Melero (Levante UD), R. Albiol, M. Trigueros, Parejo, Álex B (Villarreal).
Matchday information: Game between Levante UD and Villarreal CF, corresponding to the Copa del Rey quarter-finals at the Ciutat de València.
