Villarreal fell to Ajax in a balanced encounter that they had briefly led thanks to a stunning goal from Tani Oluwaseyi
This has not been Villarreal CF’s Champions League. It was not, it is not and it will not be. The Yellows were beaten by Ajax (1–2) in their final home fixture of the competition this season at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Already eliminated and with nothing tangible left to fight for, Villarreal once again came away empty-handed after conceding a decisive goal in the closing minutes. Despite moments of good play and a spectacular opener from Tani Oluwaseyi, the result only added to the frustration that has surrounded the Submarine’s European campaign.
With qualification already out of reach, Villarreal faced Ajax with pride at stake and the aim of offering their supporters a victory in the most prestigious club competition in world football. Marcelino named a starting eleven featuring just three players who also started the previous LALIGA match against Real Betis, Renato Veiga, Santi Comesaña and Alberto Moleiro.
Cold and rain made their presence felt at the Estadio de la Cerámica before and during the match against the Dutch side. That did not prevent the fans from turning out to witness the final Champions League fixture that the Yellow Submarine’s home would host this season.
Ajax were fighting for qualification, yet it was Villarreal who set the tone in the early stages. Inside the first ten minutes, goalkeeper Jaros had already been forced into two excellent saves. First, he denied a header from Sergi Cardona following a corner taken by Nicolas Pépé. Just one minute later, it was the Ivorian forward himself who struck a powerful effort from a loose ball inside the box, once again running into the inspired Dutch goalkeeper.
After those early scares, Ajax began to enjoy more possession. The visitors put together longer spells on the ball but lacked the clarity required to break down Villarreal’s organised defensive block.
Marcelino’s side remained dangerous whenever they attacked with intent. Rather than dominating possession, Villarreal exploited the spaces left by Ajax’s advanced defensive line. Alberto Moleiro and Thomas both tried their luck with shots from the edge of the penalty area.
Ajax registered their first shot on target after the half-hour mark. Owen Wijndal unleashed a powerful angled effort that required an excellent reaction from Arnau Tenas, who pushed the ball away with his right arm. The match remained wide open, with each Ajax attack quickly followed by a Villarreal response. Ayoze Pérez went close after receiving a pass from Nicolas Pépé, who carried the ball forward at pace in a dangerous transition, but the forward’s effort failed to find the target.
Villarreal struck first in the opening minutes of the second half. Tani Oluwaseyi won his individual duel with Bouwman to latch onto a ball played in behind the visiting defence. The Canadian forward let the ball run before unleashing a fierce first‑time left‑footed strike that found the back of the net to make it 1–0.
The lead did not last. On the hour mark, Ajax drew level through Oscar, who converted a direct free kick. After the equaliser, the visitors enjoyed a brief spell of control and tested Villarreal again. Klaassen attempted to make it 1–2 with a shot from the edge of the area.
In the 71st minute, Marcelino introduced Gerard Moreno and Mikautadze. Villarreal pushed forward in search of a winner against an Ajax side for whom victory was the only option to stay alive in the Champions League.
The Yellows’ bravery went unrewarded. In the final minute of regulation time, Ajax found the decisive goal. Edvarsen received a low pass from the right flank and struck quickly to beat Arnau Tenas and make it 1–2.
There was still time for one last chance. In added time, Renato Veiga rose to meet a corner and sent a header just wide, an effort that briefly recalled his goal against Juventus earlier in the competition. This time, however, it was not to be.
Once again, nothing went Villarreal’s way in the Champions League. Bayer Leverkusen will be the Yellows’ final stop before they definitively bring their continental campaign to an end this season.
