Villarreal lost 2-4 in a game affected by controversial refereeing decisions by Medié Jiménez
Nonsensical. Villarreal lost against RC Celta at the Estadio de la Cerámica (2-4) in a match marked by incomprehensible refereeing decisions by Medié Jiménez
The first half was mad, thanks to the referee’s performance. Medié Jiménez took centre stage thanks to his surreal decisions. The first of them was in the 20th minute. Celta went ahead through a powerful Santi Mina header, but in the build-up, there was a clear foul by Nolito on Manu Trigueros. The attacker grabbed Trigueros’ leg from the floor to stop him going for the ball. Medié Jiménez decided it was not a foul, and the score was 0-1. Incredible.
The Submarine reacted to the adverse situation and drew level through Moi Gómez. The No.23 headed a precise Rubén Peña cross from the right into the back of the net (1-1).
Refereeing decisions continued to confuse the Yellows. It was 1-2 after another controversial moment. Sergio Asenjo clashed with Hugo Mallo in the box and Medié Jiménez pointed to the penalty spot much to the shock of everyone. Mina stepped up to score.
In the 40th minute, there was another moment of controversy. The referee sent off Nestor Araújo, showing him a red card after a heavy challenge on Yeremy Pino, before overturning it due to VAR. But that wasn’t all. In added time of the first half, Celta were awarded another penalty. This time it was for a challenge by Étienne Capoue on the line of the box. Medié gave a free-kick, but VAR once more stepped in and blew a penalty. Brais Méndez made it 1-3. If that was not enough, the referee sent off Gero Rulli and Mario Gaspar for protesting from the bench.
Unai Emery made changes at the start of the second half trying to turn the game around. The Yellows started to dominate, but Celta made it 1-4 on the counter attack through Scolari.
The Submarine got a goal back in the 86th minute. Once more, it was controversial. Alberto Moreno crossed the ball into the box, and Kevin stuck out an elbow, which made the ball change its trajectory in the box. Medié Jiménez did not see it, but VAR once more stepped in. Gerard scored the penalty to make it 2-4.
Next up for Villarreal is an away trip to Real Valladolid at the José Zorrilla (Thursday, 7pm CEST).
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Rubén Peña, Albiol, Funes Mori, Estupiñán (Alberto Moreno, m. 46); Parejo (Dani Raba, m. 65), Capoue (Coquelin, m. 53), Trigueros; Yeremy, Fer Niño (Paco Alcácer, m. 65), Moi Gómez (Gerard, m. 53).
RC Celta: Iván Villar; Hugo Mallo (Aidoo, m. 67), Néstor Araújo, Carlos Domínguez, Aarón; Fran Beltrán, Denis Suárez; Solari (Kevin, m. 67), Nolito (Facundo, m. 77), Brais Méndez; Santi Mina (Jordan, m. 77).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 18: Santi Mina. 1-1. Min. 24: Moi Gómez. 1-2. Min. 33: Santi Mina (p). 1-3. Min. 45+2: Brais Méndez (p). 1-4. Min. 56: Solari. 2-4. Min. 86: Gerard (p).
Referee: Medié Jiménez. Booked: Asenjo, Estupiñán, Yeremy (Villarreal); Araújo (RC Celta). Sent off: Mario Gaspar, Rulli (Villarreal) for protesting from the bench; Facundo (RC Celta) for two yellow cards (m.87).
Matchday information: Match corresponding to LaLiga Matchday 35 at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
