Villarreal beat Deportivo Alavés in a spectacular match with goals by Bakambu (2) and Bacca
The Yellows were outstanding. Villarreal picked up a brilliant win against Deportivo Alavés and make it three wins in a row between the LaLiga Santander (Betis and Alavés) and UEFA Europa League (Astana) competitions, with 9 goals for and only 2 against. The Submarine came away with three points after putting on a real show in Vitoria with goals by Cédric Bakambu (2) and Carlos Bacca.
Fran Escribá put out the same starting eleven that got the win against Real Betis at the Estadio de la Cerñamica (3-1). Thus making up to five changes with regard to the midweek European clash against FC Astana, which also finished in a 3-1 victory for the Yellows. Rukavina, Álvaro, Víctor Ruiz, Bakambu and Bacca all returned to the starting lineup.
After just 9 minutes on the clock Rukavina put a great ball into the box from the right wing and Bacca headed the ball into the net. However, the referee disallowed the goal for offside.
The next one did count though and it was scored by that man Bakambu again. The French-Congolese striker’s superb first touch took him away from Rodrigo Ely and as he approached the area he let rip a powerful strike, which deflected slightly off Alexis before hitting the back of the net (0-1, min. 32).
The second half started with another disallowed goal for Villarreal. On this occasion, it was Rodrigo who scored with his head from a wide free kick, but unfortunately his goal was also ruled offside.
The disappointment soon subsided though as Carlos Bacca made it two (0-2) after more exceptional attacking play by the Yellows. Trigueros put a driven cross into the heart of the area from the left side, Samu Castillejo got a great shot off which Pacheco saved and Bacca pounced on the rebound in the six-yard box, making no mistake with his finish.
Villarreal were in fine form, attacking the Alavés back line without respite. Consequently, it was not long before the score became 0-3. Samu Castillejo played a great through ball to Bakambu and the number 17 placed his shot past Pacheco. Spectacular stuff. And it could even have been four as Samu Castillejo hit the post in the 70th minute. The game was already sentenced by then though.
Villarreal’s next match is against RCD Espanyol at the Estadio de la Cerámica (Thursday, 8pm CEST).
Lineups:
Deportivo Alavés: Pacheco; Vigaray, Alexis, R. Ely, A. Pedraza; Medrán, Pina, Wakaso (Romero, m. 56); Ibai (Manu García, m. 83), Bojan (Sobrino, m. 62) and Munir.
Villarreal CF: Barbosa; Rukavina, Álvaro, Víctor Ruiz, Jaume Costa (Mario Gaspar, m. 74); Castillejo, Rodrigo, Trigueros, Fornals; Bakambu (Enes Ünal, m. 78) and Bacca (Cheryshev, m. 89).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 32: Bakambu. 0-2. Min. 51: Bacca. 0-3. Min. 61: Bakambu.
Referee: Jaime Latre (Aragón, Spain). Cautioned: Sobrino and Pedraza for Alavés; Rodrigo and Víctor Ruiz for Villarreal.
Match Information: Match corresponding to Matchday 4 of the LaLiga Santander played at the Mendizorroza stadium.
