Villarreal deserved more against Sevilla, who found the equaliser in the last minute
Villarreal CF deserved more against Sevilla (1-1) in a match that ended in a draw. The visitors equalised with a last-gasp finish from Koundé from a corner. Earlier, Gio Lo Celso had scored to put Unai Emery’s side ahead. The ‘groguets’ leave with just one point that could have been three had it not been for Gil Manzano’s poor refereeing.
After Real Sociedad and Real Betis slipped up, a good result against Sevilla would put Villarreal right back in the hunt for the UEFA Europa League. Aware of the importance of the game, Unai Emery opted for a very similar eleven to the one he put together for the match against Liverpool FC at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Only one change: Samu Chukwueze came in for Gerard Moreno, who was not included in the squad.
The Submarine started with a lot of bite, testing the visitors’ defensive solidity and the reflexes of their goalkeeper. Foyth headed in from a corner kick by Parejo and Coquelin, but the Argentinian defender’s chance was saved by the keeper.
In the early stages of the match, the Submarine were on top. The ‘groguets’ were dominating the game, with players like Lo Celso, Boulaye Dia and Samu Chukwueze. It was Chukwueze, in the 11th minute, who created Villarreal’s second great chance of the game. The Nigerian attacker warned Sevilla again with a shot against the crossbar after an excellent individual move on the right wing.
Sevilla’s best player in the first half was Bono, who again thwarted Villarreal’s will to open the scoring with a fantastic save from Pau Torres’ point-blank shot from a great move by Lo Celso.
After a fantastic 45 minutes from the Yellows, the second half started with a lot of controversy. Gil Manzano made two huge errors, which sparked the anger of the Yellows’ fans, who saw the referee fail to award a clear penalty to Capoue for a clear trample by Acuña inside the area and disallow an own goal by Koundé for a positional offside by Boulaye Dia. Incomprehensible.
With 20 minutes to go, Emery made a triple substitution, bringing on Paco Alcácer, Manu Trigueros and Alfonso Pedraza. Three fresh players to look for the winning goal in the final stretch of the game. Later, Serge Aurier and Nicolas Jackson came on. Trying it all to go for the three points.
Just five minutes from the end, Giovani Lo Celso sent Gudelj’s rebound from Pedraza’s cross from the left into the net. The Argentine scored his first goal for Villarreal. It looked like it was going to be definitive until, in stoppage time, Sevilla scored the equaliser through Koundé from a corner. The draw was too little too late for Emery’s side, who deserved the win.
Lineups:
Villarreal: Rulli; Foyth (Serge Aurier, 82′), R. Albiol, Pau, Estupiñán (A. Pedraza, 72′); Chukwueze (N. Jackson, 82′), Capoue, Parejo, Coquelin (M. Trigueros, 72′); Lo Celso and Dia (Paco Alcácer, 72′).
Sevilla: Bono; G. Montiel (J. Navas, 76′), Kounde, Diego Carlos, Acuña; Jordán (Oliver T., 84′), Delaney, I. Rakitic (Gudelj, 59′); Tecatito (E. Lamela, 76′), Y. En-Nesyri (Rafa Mir, 76′) and Papu Gómez.
Goals: 1-0. 86′: Lo Celso. 1-1. 96′: Kounde.
Referee: Gil Manzano. Booked: Chukwueze, Lo Celso and Capoue (Villarreal).
Match information: Match between Villarreal and Sevilla, corresponding to the Matchday 35 of LaLiga, held at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of 17,461 spectators.
