Villarreal lose to Celta at the Estadio de la Cerámica despite Bacca’s two goals
Villarreal lost against RC Celta at the Estadio de la Cerámica in a match which saw the Yellows fall 0-3 down on the scoreboard, but reacted at the end, with Bacca scoring two goals to bring excitement to the final moments. The goals from the away side came from Brais Méndez in the first half and Okay Yokuşlu and Maxi Gómez in the second half (2-3).
Both teams fought for possession of the ball. Celta warned Villarreal early on that they would be dangerous. Iago Aspas played a ball inside to Méndez, with Sergio Asenjo first saving, before the former Yellows Academy youngster’s second effort came back off the post.
The Yellow Submarine didn’t hesitate in responding. Pablo Fornals crossed it in and Gerard Moreno headed it towards goal, denied by the gloves of Rubén Blanco (m. 24). That period saw some of the best moments for the Yellows during the game. Santi Cazorla played a brilliant pass to Manu Trigueros, whose speculative effort couldn’t quite make it on target (m. 29).
The two teams were dangerous. In the 42nd minute, Gerard came close to scoring once more. His effort came after a great attack involving all of the Yellows attack, finishing with a left-footed effort from the Villarreal No.7 skimming the bar.
Celta delivered a hard blow just after. Aspas played it back to Méndez to score the 0-1 with a goal low down that Asenjo couldn’t keep out.
The second half started badly for the Yellows. Celta scored their second goal of the game straight after the break as Okay headed the ball in from a wide free-kick (0-2). Seconds later Gómez made it three for the visitors. Méndez put the Uruguayan through on goal and he scored with a powerful strike across goal.
Villarreal did not give up and managed to pull two goals back late on. The first came from an indirect free-kick inside the box as a result of a pass back to the keeper and the Yellows took advantage of it. Cazorla set up Bacca and the Colombian made no mistake, firing his strike into the roof of Blanco’s net (1-3, m. 82). The goal encouraged the Yellow Submarine to go all out for more and they struck again in the 86th minute. Cazorla crossed, Mario flicked the ball on and Bacca headed the ball home at the back post (2-3). Sheer emotion.
The end of the game was not for the faint hearted. In added time, Villarreal had a brilliant chance to equalise. Mario pulled the ball back and Gerard’s effort came back off the post when the entire Estadio de la Cerámica had already started cheering. Unbelievable.
Villarreal’s next game will be on Thursday against Spartak Moscow on Matchday 6 of the UEFA Europa League, the last game of the group stages (6:55pm CET).
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario Gaspar, Álvaro, Víctor Ruiz, Pedraza (Funes Mori, m. 90); Cáseres, Trigueros (Toko EKmabi, m. 46); Chukwueze (Bacca, m. 54), Fornals, Cazorla; Gerard Moreno.
RC Celta: Rubén Blanco; Hugo Mallo, David Costas, Araújo, Juncà; Brais Méndez (Fran Beltrán, m. 75), Okay, Jozabed (Cabral, m. 80), Boufal (Hjulsager, m. 65); Iago Aspas, Maxi Gómez.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 44: Brais Méndez. 0-2. Min. 48: Okay. 0-3. Min. 50: Maxi Gómez. 1-3. Min. 82: Bacca. 2-3. Min. 86: Bacca.
Referee: Gil Manzano. Booked: Cáseres, Álvaro, Mario Gaspar (Villarreal), Okay, Maxi Gómez, Rubén Blanco (RC Celta).
Matchday information: Matchday 15 of LaLiga at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of an audience of 15,720.
