Villarreal fall to Eibar as the locals score a last-minute winner
Villarreal lost to Eibar in an intense match at Ipurua. The home side took the lead through Kike García, Gerard equalised for the Yellows and Orellana scored the decisive goal in the 95th minute to give Eibar a 2-1 win.
Javi Calleja made some changes to the starting eleven, with the upcoming match against Athletic Club in mind. The Villarreal boss set up with a 4-3-3 formation in which Chukwueze, Ontiveros and Toko Ekambi led the front line.
The first half was even with neither team clearly dominating. In fact, there were hardly any goal scoring opportunities. Eibar looked to exploit the wings and get crosses in from the wings, while Villarreal opted for the counterattack.
In the opening minutes, Ontiveros tried his luck with a shot from long range and with a freekick from the edge of the box, but neither of his efforts hit the target.
Just before the break, the Yellows had their clearest chance of the first half. Trigueros played a through ball to Toko Ekambi and the No.17 crossed the ball with the outside of his right boot to find Chukwueze at the back post, but the young Nigerian’s effort sailed over the bar.
Eibar opened the scoring from a set piece. Kike García finding the back of the net with a header from a corner kick (1-0, m. 61). Straight after Eibar’s goal Javi Calleja made the first substitution for Villarreal, putting Moi Gómez on for Ontiveros.
The Yellows boss continued to opt for offensive changes, soon after putting Gerard and Cazorla on for Trigureos and Anguissa. All in search of the equaliser. Villarreal kept on and got their reward in the 87th minute. Pau played a fantastic long ball forward to Gerard who got on the end of it between the Eibar centre backs, chipped the ball over Dimitrovic and passed the ball into the open net (1-1, m. 87).
The final minutes were nervewracking. With six minutes added time on the clock, Sergio Asenjo was required to pull on his superhero suit once again. The Villarreal goalkeeper pulled off some unbelievable saves to keep Eibar at bay.
The match opened up and Villarreal did not settle for the draw, pushing forward in earnest to take all three points. Toko Ekambi had a chance to score a second for the Yellows in the 92nd minute but his shot hit the side netting. Eibar scored the decisive second and took all three points in the 95th minute as De Blasis’ cross was converted by Orellana.
Villarreal’s next match is this Sunday against Athletic Club at the Estadio de la Cerámica (2pm CET).
Lineups:
SD Eibar: Dimitrovic; De Blasis, Oliveira, Arbilla, Cote; Orellana, Escalante, Diop (Edu Expósito, m. 67), Inui; Kike García (Pedro León, m. 87) and Sergi Enrich (Charles, m. 71).
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario Gaspar, Albiol, Pau, Quintillà; Anguissa (Cazorla, m. 72), Trigueros (Gerard, m. 66), Iborra; Chukwueze, Ontiveros (Moi Gómez, m. 62) and Toko Ekambi.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 61: Kike García. 1-1. Min. 87: Gerard. 2-1. Min. 95: Orellana.
Referee: Quadra Fernández. Booked: Anguissa, Iborra and Quintillà for Villarreal.
Information: Match corresponding to LaLiga Matchday 11 played at Ipurua. A minute of silence was held prior to kick-off for former SD Eibar President, Juan Luis Mardaras.
