Villarreal B lost to Real Zaragoza in added time
Villarreal B lost against Real Zaragoza (2-3) after being ahead 2-0 in the match corresponding to Gameweek 23 of the 2022/23 LaLiga SmartBank season. In the second half, the visitors turned the game around. A header from Mollejo in stoppage time completed the comeback.
The Yellows made their debut at the reopened Estadio de la Cerámica after a first half of the season played at the Mini Estadi, a place they made a real fortress. The first few minutes of the game went without a hitch, although Villarreal B were the masters of the ball.
Midway through the first half, Miguel Álvarez’s side’s dominance was transformed into a 1-0 lead. A throw-in by Dani Tasende ended with a shot from Carlo Adriano. In the next piece of play, the opposing goalkeeper prevented the second goal after a great shot by Diego Collado.
With five minutes to go in the first half, Mini Submarine made it 2-0 after a great team move. Tasende started the action on the wing with a pass to Sergio Lozano, who played a great pass to Fer Niño who, after a spectacular piece of control, slotted the ball into the opposition net. Both teams went to the changing rooms with the Yellows two up. It was football of high quality from the Miguel Álvarez’s men in the first 45 minutes.
A few minutes into the second half, the visitors pulled one back with a goal from Ivan. The away team pressed after being close on the scoreboard, but the Mini Submarine were able to resist and start to dominate the ball again and gained ground on the pitch.
The Mini Submarine controlled the ball, but without creating any dangerous chances, except for a long-range shot from Tasende. And from a counter-attack, Real Zaragoza equalised with a goal of their own.
In the final minutes, Villarreal B went all out for the win. Despite the Yellows’ insistence, it was the visitors who took the victory with a goal in stoppage time. Mollejo, with a header, made it 2-3.
Lineups:
Villarreal B: Iker A.; M.A. Leal, P. Iñiguez, Dela, Tasende; S. Lozano, A. Del Moral, Carlo; Fer Niño, D. Collado, A. Millan (min. 67, Haissem).
Real Zaragoza: Álvarez; Fran Gámez, A. Francés, Jair Jr; Larra (min. 65, Puche), Francho (min. 76, Manu N. Molina), Alarcón, Eugeni (min.46, Ivan); P. Makhtar (min. 46, V. Vada), Mollejo (min. 90, Nieto).
Referee: Guzmán Mansilla. Booked: Dela, Iker Álvarez, Del Moral (Villarreal B); Francho, Puche (Real Zaragoza).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 27: Carlo. 2-0. Min. 40: Fer Niño. 2-1. Min. 51: Ivan. 2-2. Min. 70: Pablo Íñiguez (OG). 2-3. Min. 90: Mollejo.
Matchday information: Game between Villarreal B and Real Zaragoza, corresponding to Gameweek 23 of the 2022/23 LaLiga SmartBank season at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Attendance: 11,561.
