Villarreal draw against Sevilla with goals from Paco Alcácer and Pau to go four games undefeated
Villarreal come away with a worthy point against Sevilla on their chase for European spots this season (2-2). Paco Alcácer and Pau scored for the Yellows and the game will go down history as Bruno Soriano returned after more than three years on the sidelines through injury. We were waiting for you, captain. This result takes the Submarine’s record to three wins and one draw since the restart to competition after the league break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Javi Calleja made six changes to his starting eleven compared to those that set up against Granada and came away with a win at Nuevo Los Cármenes (0-1). One of the standout returns to the lineup was Vila-real native Pau, who came back into the side at centre back and did so by scoring the Yellows’ second goal of the game.
The first goal of the match came in the 17th minute. Gerard Moreno received the ball wide on the right wing and sent in a cross to the far post where Anguissa sprinted to get on the end of it and sent his powerful header straight at Vaclik. The rebound fell to Paco Alcácer who made no mistake, firing home with a first-time shot to open the scoring (1-0).
The game was very even. Both teams fought for every ball as if it were the last of the game. Sevilla equalised in the 38th minute. Escudero levelled the match with a spectacular, left-footed strike from outside the box and across the face of Asenjo’s goal and into the far corner of the net (1-1).
When it seemed that would be the scoreline for half time, Villarreal had the last word before the break. Santi Cazorla put a dream ball into the box from a corner kick and Pau nodded home at the front post. A superb header and beautiful assist.
Then in the second half, Sevilla equalised for a second time. The goal was orchestrated by two players that Lopetegui had put on at the break. Jesús Navas crossed the ball in to Munir who guided it into the back of Asenjo’s net (2-2). Unstoppable this time for the Yellows no.1, who moments before had made a great save to deny Jordán.
Javi Calleja changed things up. Moi Gómez had come on earlier and it was time to add Trigueros and Ontiveros to the action. The Yellows boss looked to cause problems for an organised Sevilla defence.
With just three minutes left until the final whistle it was big news for the home side as Bruno Soriano entered the field of play after more than three years’ absence from official games due to injury. Mario Gaspar’s gesture to give him the captain’s armband shows just what the captain’s return means. Despite a few more attacks before the final whistle, the scoreline did not budge.
Villarreal CF’s next match is the derby against Valencia CF at the Estadio de la Cerámica (Sunday, 5pm CEST).
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario Gaspar, Albiol, Pau, Alberto Moreno; Chukwueze (Ontiveros, m. 71), Anguissa, Iborra (Bruno, m. 87), Cazorla (Moi Gómez, m. 56); Gerard (Trigueros, m. 71) and Paco Alcácer (Bacca, m. 87).
Sevilla FC: Vaclik; Koundé, Sergio Gómez (Jesús Navas, m. 46), Diego Carlos, Escudero; Jordán (Vázquez, m. 62), Fernando, Banega; Suso (Ocampos, m. 46), En-Nesyri (De Jong, m. 81) and Rony Lopes (Munir, m. 46).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 17: Paco Alcácer. 1-1. Min. 38: Escudero. 2-1. Min. 45+3: Pau. 2-2. Min. 63: Munir.
Referee: Sánchez Martínez. Booked: Alberto Moreno, Trigueros and Bruno for Villarreal; Sergi Gómez, Fernando and Ocampos for Sevilla.
Information: Match corresponding to LaLiga Matchday 31 played at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
