Villarreal draw with Almería and the knockout tie will be decided at the Estadio de la Cerámica
A draw for starters in this season’s Copa del Rey. Villarreal drew 3-3 against Almería at the Estadio Juegos del Mediterráneo in an encounter that saw the tables turn on a few occasions. The home side took the lead from the penalty spot through Chema Núñez but then Villarreal came back with goals from Cazorla, an own goal by Callejón and Samu Chukwueze, but the locals had the final say with two late headed goals by Gassama. Thus, the Round of 32 knockout tie of the Copa del Rey will be decided at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
Javi Calleja went with his 4-2-3-1 formation once again. In defence Mario Gaspar played as a centre back and Villarreal B team player, Xavi Quintillà, made his debut for the first team at left back. With Cazorla and Iturra in centre midfield, the wings were occupied by Chukwueze and Layún with Nicola Sansone up top.
The Yellow Submarine had some clear chances to go ahead in the first half. The first of those came in the 13th minute. Mario Gaspar crossed the ball in and Sansone met it with his left foot, his effort forcing Fernando to make a save.
The Yellows were creating plenty of danger attacking with speed up front. Sansone had another good chance to score after Chukwueve fed him a driven ball in from the left wing, but Fernando kept him at bay again. The subsequent rebound was met by Raba, but he also missed the mark.
Raba was one of the most active players in attack though and could have opened the scoring himself in the 28th minute after a Maradona-esque run from the middle of the pitch that finished in a shot that went straight at Fernando.
The best chance of the first half involved Layún and Cazorla. The Mexican sent in a driven ball from the left to Santi, whose shot was off target. The ball was bouncing due to the poor condition of the pitch and meant Cazorla could not connect properly with the ball.
The second half did not get off to a good start for the Yellows. Mario Gaspar fouled Caballero to give away a penatly and Chema Núñez converted from the spot to put Almería in front (1-0, m. 51).
Villarreal continued in their pursuit for a goal. Pedraza and Sansone both came close until Santi Cazorla’s work of art arrived. In the 67th minute, Cazorla won the ball back on the edge of the box, manoeuvred his way around Almería defenders and curled the ball into the top corner (1-1). Magic. Even the local fans at the Estadio Juegos del Mediterráneo applauded.
Gerard Moreno came on and made it 1-2 to Villarreal. The Catalonian striker corssed the ball from out on the left and Callejón, in his effort to clear the ball, sent it into his own net. The match really opened up and that was when the Yellows went 1-3 up. Samu Chukwueze got away from his defender and scored with a powerful strike at the near post (m. 83). There were only a few minutes to go until the final whistle, but Almería had not had their final say. The home side managed to equalise thanks to two headers by Gassama in the final minutes. All will be decided at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
Lineups:
UD Almería: Fernando; Montoro (Corpas, m. 68), Trujillo, Callejón, Iván Martos; Yan Eteki, Mario Abenza (Arzura, m. 80); Narváez, Chema, Lin; Caballero (Gassama, m. 51).
Villarreal CF: Andrés; M. Llambrich (Pedraza, m. 54), Mario Gaspar, Víctor Ruiz, Quintillà; Iturra, Cazorla (Gerard, m. 75); Chukwueze, Raba (Fornals, m. 60), Layún; Sansone.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 51: Chema Núñez, de penalti. 1-1. Min. 67: Cazorla. 1-2. Min. 78: Callejón, en propia puerta. 1-3. Min. 83: Chukwueze. 2-3. Min. 86: Gassama. 3-3. Min. 90: Gassama.
Referee: Alberola Rojas. Booked: Trujillo and Yan Eteki for Almería.
Match Information: Match corresponding to the first leg of the Round of 32 of the Copa del Rey played at the Estadio Juegos del Mediterráneo in front of 8,004 spectators.
