Villarreal beat Guijuelo with goals from Gerard and Danjuma to advance to the third round of the Copa del Rey
Quique Setién warned in the press conference ahead of the match against CD Guijuelo that no match is easy in the Copa del Rey, something that Villarreal CF knew very well in the early stages of the game, as although the Yellows dominated the ball, it was the home side who had the first dangerous chances of the match.
Less than ten minutes into the game, Garban, taking advantage of a cross that was turned away by the Yellows’ defence, volleyed from within the six-yard box, forcing Pepe Reina at full stretch to prevent the first goal of the game.
Guijuelo came out onto the pitch with a great rhythm and were relentless in their search for the first goal that would put them ahead on the scoreboard. Shortly after, in the 14th minute, a mistake in midfield resulted in a counter-attacking chance for CD Guijuelo. Garban, from the edge of the area, crossed into the heart of the area and Carmona headed the ball into the back of the net.
The Municipal Luis Ramos erupted with joy after the goal, although the Submarine were able to quickly overcome the blow.
In the 28th minute, and from a set piece, the first great chance for the Yellows came in. Álex Baena, despite being out wide, hit a great shot that went just over the top of the top corner. Pau Torres, with a long-range shot in the 36th minute, gave another serious warning to Roberto Gutiérrez, the home goalkeeper.
After a few warnings, Villarreal CF equalised. Gerard Moreno, in the final third, put a trademark ball into the heart of the box looking for Yeremy Pino, who was brought down inside the box by Davo. Gerard scored the penalty to tie the game in the 41st minute.
With a draw on the scoreboard and everything to be decided in the second half, we went to the break at the Municipal Luis Ramos.
Villarreal CF came out for the second half just as well as they finished the first. Yeremy, in the 48th minute, went one-on-one with Roberto, but the tips of his gloves kept out the Submarine’s second, sending the ball out for a corner.
Setién looked to the bench, bringing on Étienne Capoue, Francis Coquelin and Nico Jackson looking for the second goal to put Villarreal ahead on the tie. Both Jackson and Danjuma would be the men to lead the attack in the second half.
Villarreal controlled the ball and played from one side of the pitch to the other, trying to find a gap in the home defence. In the 80th minute, Aïssa Mandi put a cross into the box for Coquelin to shoot from the penalty spot, an effort which just went off target.
Setién’s men tried to avoid extra-time at all cost and continued attacking the CD Guijuelo defence. Gerard put a great ball through to Coquelin, who laid it off for Jackson, whose shot was blocked by a home defender.
Neither Villarreal, who had great chances during the second 45 minutes, nor Guijuelo, who did not seriously trouble Reina during the second half, were able to score a second goal that would tip the balance. We went to extra time with 1-1.
And what a way to start extra time! Only three minutes of extra time had been played when Dani Parejo delivered a great cross that Danjuma, onside and after an excellent run, fired in with his left foot to put the Submarine ahead. After Danjuma’s goal, the Submarine managed the tempo of the match perfectly to prevent Guijuelo from approaching Reina’s goal in search of an equaliser. In the end, Villarreal CF won thanks to goals scored by Gerard and Danjuma and advance to the third round of the Copa del Rey.
Lineups:
CD Guijuelo: Roberto G.; Davo L., Trapero, Aizpiri, Coque (min. 84, Flórez); Pepe Carmona (min. 78, Jesús Hernández), Garban (min. 78, Álex Lorenzo), Willy, Cristóbal; Caramelo (min. 59, Montero), Toti.
Villarreal CF: Reina; Kiko F., Mandi, Pau, J. Mojica; Morlanes (min. 87, Parejo), M. Trigueros (min. 65, Capoue), Álex B. (min. 65, Coquelin); Chukwueze (min. 71, N. Jackson), Yeremy (min. 87, Danjuma), Gerard.
Referee: Valentín Pizarro. Booked: Willy, Trapero, Aizpiri & Roberto (CD Guijuelo). Sent off: Quintana & Álex Lorenzo (CD Guijuelo)
Goals: 1-0. Min. 14: Carmona. 1-1. Min. 41: Gerard. 1-2. Min. 94: Danjuma.
Matchday information: Match between CD Guijuelo and Villarreal CF, corresponding to Round Two of the 2022/23 Copa del Rey at the Municipal Luis Ramos.
