Villarreal beat Betis in a match where the team knew how to dig in but finally got an unforgettable victory
Brilliant. Villarreal beat Real Betis at the Estadio de la Cerámica in a game where the Yellows knew how to dig in to end up comfortably beating their rivals in a magical end to the game. The Yellows’ goal came from Karl Toko Ekambi (2), Santi Cazorla (penalty), Gerard Moreno and Samu Chukwueze. The away team’s goal came from Emerson.
Javi Calleja gave continuity to the hard work in recent games. The Yellows started with a 4-1-4-1 on the pitch, although later it became a 4-4-2 before the half-time break.
The first chance of the tie was because of Cazorla’s magic. The midfielder found a ridiculous pass over the defence to leave Rubén Peña one-on-one with Joel Robles. The right-back brought it down and shot with his right foot, before being denied by a fantastic save.
Betis also had their chances. It was then when Sergio Asenjo came to the fore. The goalkeeper was a brick wall for the majority of the match.
The goal that made it 1-0 came from Toko Ekambi. Cazorla played a perfect corner and the Cameroonian international headed it into the back of the next (m.38). Only a few seconds later, he could have scored again after a great counter-attack. It went just over the bar.
The second half started with bad news for the Yellows. Emerson’s powerful right-footed effort flew past Asenjo after deflecting off Pau Torres (1-1, m.47).
Betis pushed forward and Villarreal had to dig in, which they did. They saw their hard work pay off when Marc Bartra brought down Chukwueze in the box. Javier Estrada Fernández, who first of all did not point to the spot, did so after revising the incident through VAR. Cazorla stepped up and placed it home (2-1, m. 67).
The Submarine killed off the game on the counter-attack. Peña played a long ball through to Chukwueze, the Nigerian played it to Gerard, who switched it once more to Toko Ekambi, who made it 3-1. It was generosity from the No.7, who practically gifted the goal to the Cameroonian striker (m.75).
After a lot of hard work, Villarreal sealed the victory with two late goals. Javi Ontiveros hit the woodwork before Gerard made it 4-1. The Catalan striker escaped quickly on the counter and finished perfectly with his left foot. ‘Pichichi’ Gerard has six goals so far this season. Spectacular.
The cherry on top of the cake was still to come. Chukwueze made it 5-1 to send the Yellows fans crazy. The Nigerian finished a stellar counter-attack with a placed shot in off the post. Unforgettable.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Peña, Albiol, Pau, Quintillà; Cazorla (Trigueros, m. 84), Anguissa, Iborra, Moi Gómez (Chukwueze, m. 56); Toko Ekambi (Ontiveros, m. 78), Gerard.
Real Betis Balompié: Joel; Emerson, Bartra, Zou Feddal, Pedraza (Tello, m. 74); Joaquín (Lainez, m. 78), William, Canales, Álex Moreno; Borja Iglesias, Loren (Raúl, m. 78).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 38: Toko Ekambi. 1-1. Min. 47: Emerson. 2-1. Min. 67: Cazorla, (penalty). 3-1. Min. 75: Toko Ekambi. 4-1. Min. 91: Gerard. 5-1. Min. 93: Chukwueze.
Referee: Estrada Fernández. Booked: Moi Gómez, Quintillà (Villarreal); Joaquín, Zou Feddal (Betis).
Matchday information: Match corresponding to Matchday 7 of LaLiga at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of an attendance of 18,135.
