Villarreal lose 2-1 to Real Madrid, but qualify directly for the Europa League
Defeat has never been so sweet. Villarreal lost to Real Madrid 2-1 but qualified directly for next season’s UEFA Europa League due to the results of the other teams in the fight for European spots. This evening’s goals were scored by Benzema (2) and Iborra.
After a break in the campaign, the Submarine have proven worthy to sail through the waters of continental competition once more, making it 16 seasons (14 without counting the Intertoto Cup) playing European football in the 21 seasons (including the next campaign) they have spent in the Spanish top flight.
It was a matchday for listening to other games on the radio. The old-fashioned way. Villarreal depended on themselves to qualify for the Europa League, but were looking out of the corner of their eyes at Getafe, Real Sociedad and Athletic Club’s games to check on their results.
Javi Calleja made up to six changes with regards to the eleven that started the match against Real Sociedad at the Estadio de la Cerámica. The Yellows boss went with a 4-4-2 with Chukwueze and Gerard Moreno up front. Eight players from the starting eleven played for the Yellows Academy before joining the first team squad.
Madrid took the lead just before the half-an-hour mark. The whites took advantage of a Villarreal mistake as the Submarine played the ball out the back with Benzema punishing by striking the ball under Asenjo from a Modric pass (1-0, m. 28). Villarreal tried to react before going into the break, but Real Madrid were solid in defence.
Javi Calleja put Bruno and Ontiveros into the game after half-time to look to have more possession of the ball. And they did just that. The Yellows’ eternal captain took the wheel to help the Yellows step it up a gear. Shortly after Cazorla and Iborra came on they went in search of the equalizer.
It was Real Madrid who scored first though, netting their second in the 76th minute to make it 2-0. And they did so through a non-existent penalty. Hernández Hernández pointed at the spot after Chakla supposedly brought down Sergio Ramos in the box. In fact, it was the Real Madrid no.4 who hit the Moroccan centre backs leg. Unbelievable.
What’s more, the spotkick had to be retaken. Sergio Ramos passed the ball lightly for Benzema to run onto and strike, but the Frenchman entered the box before Ramos touched it. When repeated it was the French striker who took it and scored directly.
Iborra’s goal made things exciting in the final minutes. Mario Gaspar put in a perfectly placed cross and the centre midfielder headed home with ease and out of reach of Courtois to make it 2-1. Villarreal pressed forward for the equalizer and it was a miracle the ball didn’t find the back of the net. Bruno followed by Iborra had great successive chances in injury time that would have gone in if it weren’t for a miraculous save by Courtois.
We’re back in Europe!!!
Lineups:
Real Madrid CF: Courtois; Carvajal (Lucas Vázquez, m. 84), Varane, Sergio Ramos, Mendy; Modric (Valverde, m. 84), Casemiro, Kroos (Isco, m. 83); Rodrigo (Asensio, m. 61), Benzema and Hazard (Vinicius, m. 61).
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario, Sofian Chakla, Pau, Quintillà; Rubén Peña (Bruno, m. 46), Anguissa (Trigueros, m. 81), Morlanes (Iborra, m. 61), Moi Gómez (Cazorla, m. 61); Chukwueze (Ontiveros, m. 46) and Gerard.
Goles: 1-0. Min. 28: Benzema. 2-0. Min. 76: Benzema, de penalti. 2-1. Min. 83: Iborra.
Referee: Hernández Hernández. Booked: Carvajal, Modric and Isco for Madrid; Chakla and Quintillà for Villarreal.
Information: Match corresponding to LaLiga Matchday 37 played at the Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium.
