Villarreal beat Atlético Sanluqueño in a complete performance by Unai Emery’s team
Villarreal beat Atlético Sanluqueño (1-7) in the second round of the Copa del Rey. The Yellows were the better team and sealed their place in the Round of 32 of the cup competition. The goals came from Paco Alcácer, who scored twice, as well as from Samu Chukwueze, Moi Gómez, Manu Trigueros, Dani Raba and a Javi Duro own goal. Armental scored for the home team.
After defeating Victoria CF in the first round of the Copa del Rey, Villarreal traveled to Andalusia to continue their journey in the knockout competition. The Yellows went into the game on the back of two important wins. The first of them came against Atalanta in Europe (2-3), which sealed qualification for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, and the second came at home against Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga (2-0).
Despite facing a team from a lower división, Unai Emery selected a starting XI with a lot of experience to face the team from Sanlúcar de Barrameda. Gero Rulli, Aïssa Mandi, Alfonso Pedraza, Vicente Iborra and Trigueros all were in the initial lineup after starting the previous league game.
There was no time to waste and Villarreal took to the El Palmar pitch trying to show their quality in the tie. In the eight minute, Alcácer fired into the back of the net, getting on the end of a Raba pass after a lovely piece of individual play down the right from Chukwueze.
The striker showed his great goalscoring instinct. Only five minutes after the opener, Alcácer once more found the back of the net, after a goalmouth scramble where the Yellows had three shots on goal before the No.9 got his effort away.
Before the half-hour mark, the Submarine made it 0-3 at El Palmar after a Javi Duro own goal, in a piece of play where Vicente Iborra went very close.
It was clear that the Yellows were on top. The fourth and fifth goal came quickly after one another just before half-time. Chukwueze finished a great Pedraza assist down the left. Two minutes later, it was Moi Gómez, with a subtle scoop, beat Palomares after an Alcácer assist. Villarreal showed their quality at El Palmar.
In the second half, Filip Jorgensen made his first-team debut, coming on for Rulli in the 59th minute. Just a minute after, Armental cut the Yellows’ lead after a great run.
Villarreal fought back after the home goal with two goals that made it 1-7. Trigueros finished powerfully from the edge of the box, before Raba got on a loose ball in the box to seal the win in Andalusia.
Lineups:
Atlético Sanluqueño: Palomares; Edu Oriol (Antonio Navas, m. 46), Pelón, Javi Duro, Ramón Riego; Hassane (Caballé, m. 63), Julen Azkue (Theo, m. 63), Armental, Toni García (Miguelete, m. 46), Héctor; Canillas (Lucas Gaucho, m. 45).
Villarreal CF: Rulli (Jorgensen. m. 59); R. Peña (Mario Gaspar, m. 76), Foyth (R. Albiol, m. 59), Mandi, A. Pedraza; Iborra, M. Trigueros, Chukwueze (Yeremy, m. 76), Moi Gómez (Alberto M., m. 76); Raba, Paco Alcácer.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 8: Paco Alcácer. 0-2. Min. 12: Paco Alcácer. 0-3. Min. 27: Javi Duro (OG). 0-4. Min. 40: Chukwueze. 0-5. Min. 42: Moi Gómez. 1-5. Min. 60: Armental. 1-6. Min. 67: M. Trigueros. 1-7. Min. 79: Raba.
Referee: Gil Manzano. Booked: Foyth (Villarreal)
Matchday information: Match between Atlético Sanluqueño and Villarreal CF, corresponding to Round Two of the 2021/22 Copa del Rey at El Palmar.
