Controversial and unfair defeat in Dortmund (4-0)

Villarreal CF fall to the German side in a match marked by refereeing decisions

Villarreal CF were defeated by Borussia Dortmund at the BVB Stadion Dortmund in a match heavily influenced by refereeing decisions and, above all, by a second half conditioned by the sending-off of Juan Foyth.

The Yellow Submarine competed on equal terms throughout the first 45 minutes. It is true that, in the opening stages, Villarreal CF had to show their most defensive side, but the team grew with the ball as the minutes went by and created danger with several promising attacks.

Marcelino García Toral’s men were the first to strike. In the 11^th minute, Tajon Buchanan latched onto a loose ball inside the box after a shot from Thomas Partey and sent it into the back of the net. However, the goal was ruled out for offside.

Shortly after, in the 27^th minute, the Canadian winger again came close as he tried to connect with a cross from Santi Comesaña. Three minutes later, a short free-kick routine saw Thomas Partey lay the ball off to Pape Gueye, whose effort grazed the crossbar.

At the other end, the Black and Yellow threatened through Adeyemi, who broke away to the byline, but Luiz Júnior managed to get a touch and Juan Foyth cleared the danger. And when it looked as though the match would head into the break goalless, the hosts struck. In added time, Serhou Guirassy headed home a cross from Anselmino (1-0). However, this was the first controversial moment, as the ball reached Guirassy after Anton handled it, although the VAR decided there was no infringement.

At the start of the second half came the second blow for Villarreal CF. In the 52^nd minute, after a very controversial incident in which the referee interpreted that Juan Foyth had blocked a goal-bound shot with his arm and not his chest, the Yellow Submarine were reduced to ten men.

Dortmund made the most of the situation to score their second goal. Although Guirassy missed the penalty, he converted the rebound after Luiz Júnior’s save (2-0). With the match now conditioned by those earlier decisions, the German side put the game to bed through Adeyemi (3-0, min. 57) and Svensson (4-0, min. 90+5).

Villarreal CF’s next match will be on Sunday 30^th November at 2pm CET against Real Sociedad at Anoeta.