Villarreal take down Celta with a ‘hat-trick’ by Colombian striker Bacca and a late fourth by Castillejo
It was a crucial match for the Yellows and they didn’t disappoint. Villarreal beat Celta de Vigo 4-1 in a thrilling encounter at the Estadio de la Cerámica where the Yellows netted four goals, a hat-trick by Carlos Bacca and a late goal by Samu Castillejo. The side from Vigo scored one courtesy of Pione Sisto.
Javi Calleja opted for the same starting lineup that walked out against CD Leganés in the Yellow Submarine’s last match at the Estadio de la Cerámica. The first half was end to end stuff. A thrilling half of football. The fans enjoyed the back and forth play as both teams had chances in the opening minutes. But Villarreal hit harder.
The first goal of the game came in the 12th minute. Bacca put the ball in the back of the net for the Yellows after some great team play by Cheryshev, Rodrigo and Raba which the Colombian finished off in fine style by dribbling around Celta goalkeeper, Sergio Álvarez, to knock the ball across the line (1-0). Cool, calm and collected. The Galician side kept going though and managed to equalise through Pione Sisto who beat Sergio Asenjo with a shot at his near post (1-1, m. 33).
The Yellows response was immediate though. Bacca got on the end of a great through ball by Rodrigo, went up against Sergio Álvarez again and came out on top again with a well placed strike (2-1, m. 34). Another ‘golazo’ by the Colombian. Calleja’s men were on a roll and the third soon followed. And it was that man Bacca again. Víctor Ruiz played a long ball forward, Raba got away from his defender with great speed and unselfishly set up the Yellow number 9 to pass the ball into an open goal from close range (3-1, m. 37). That sealed Carlos Bacca’s first hat-trick in a Villarreal shirt and was his 18th goal of the season.
The second half was equally as entertaining, as even though only one more goal was scored, there were plenty of chances. Raba could have been rewarded for his fantastic performance as Cheryshev put an inch-perfect ball across goal for him to get on the end of, but his effort went just wide. The Yellow number 7 was on form. In fact, he had two clear opportunities to extend Villarreal’s lead. The second ricocheting back off the post.
The decisive fourth came in injury time. On a final counterattack, Fornals set up Samu Castillejo and the number 10 made no mistake by smashing the ball past the Celta goalkeeper at the near post. A hugely important win that establishes Villarreal in the European zone of the table.
Villarreal’s next match is against Valencia at the Estadio de la Cerámica (Saturday 5th May, 8:45pm CEST)
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario, Álvaro, Víctor Ruiz, Rukavina; Rodrigo, Trigueros; Samu Castillejo, Raba (Fornals, m. 59), Cheryshev (Sansone, m. 85); and Bacca (Enes Ünal, m. 77).
RC Celta de Vigo: Sergio Álvarez; Hugo Mallo (‘Tucu’ Hernández, m. 73), Sergi Gómez, Cabral, Jony; Lobotka, Jozabed (Emre Mor, m. 81); Wass, Brais Méndez (Boyé, m. 68), Pione Sisto; and Maxi Gómez.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 12: Bacca. 1-1. Min. 33: Pione Sisto. 2-1. Min. 34: Bacca. 3-1. Min. 37: Bacca. 4-1. Min. 93: Castillejo.
Referee: Alberola Rojas. Cautioned: Trigueros and Castillejo.
Match Report: Match corresponding to LaLiga Matchday 35 played at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of 14,135 spectators.
