Villarreal lose to Real Betis in added time
Starting with a defeat (1-2). Villarreal lost their league opener against Real Betis. The Yellows did not have their best day against Real Betis, who found the second goal – from Willian José – in stoppage time, when it seemed that goals from Ayoze and Cuenca would be enough to share the spoils at La Cerámica.
LaLiga returned to the Estadio de la Cerámica and with it the excitement of thousands of fans, who were eagerly awaiting the start of a new season for Villarreal CF. The first opponent of the season: Real Betis, a team with European aspirations who, like the Submarine, also play in the UEFA Europa League.
The match started with pace. And with both teams ready to put on an exciting show. Villarreal fired first, although it was only a warning. The referee disallowed a goal by Álex Baena that was ruled out for a millimetre-perfect offside. The gifted midfielder from Almeria had sent Gerard’s measured cross into the top corner of the net.
If the Submarine warned, Real Betis struck. Before reaching the halfway point of the first half, a vertical move by Luiz Henrique ended with Ayoze’s goal (0-1). The Brazilian winger cut back past Alberto Moreno and laid the ball off for the striker from the Canary Islands, who arrived on time to score the first goal of the afternoon.
The goal did not sit well with Villarreal, who suffered a slow performance in the first half. Ten minutes before the break, the visitors had another chance on goal, although this time it was clearly offside. Guido Rodriguez was in an unmarked position before he sent his finish from Isco’s free-kick into the net.
Villarreal were not comfortable in the first half and it was only in stoppage time, from a corner, that Gerard headed towards goal and his shot was met by Rui Silva’s hand.
Villarreal started the second half with more impetus. Five minutes in, Foyth hit the post with a header from a cross from the corner. The rebound fell to Sorloth, who failed to score the equaliser.
On the hour mark, Setién’s side levelled the scores at 1-1 thanks to Jorge Cuenca’s unassailable header. The defender from Madrid rose higher than anyone else in the box to beat Rui Silva from Baena’s free-kick.
The Submarine wanted to go for the win and tried to do so, although they ran out of gas in the closing stages. In stoppage time, Real Betis struck the coup de grace. Willian José made it 1-2 and secured the three points for the side from Seville.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Jorgensen; Foyth, Mandi, J. Cuenca, Alberto M. (A. Pedraza, m. 24); R. Terrats (Denis Suárez, m. 83), Parejo, Santi C.V., Álex B.; Gerard (A. J. Morales, m. 83), Sorloth.
Real Betis: Rui Silva; Sabaly, Pezzella, Luiz Felipe, Abner; G. Rodríguez (Paul, m. 91), Isco (Rodri, m. 71), Marc Roca; Luiz Henrique (Aitor Ruibal, m. 71), B. Iglesias (Willian J., m. 46), Ayoze.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 20: Ayoze. 1-1. Min. 61: J. Cuenca. 1-2. Min. 96: Willian J.
Referee: Ortiz Arias. Booked: Mandi (Villarreal CF); B. Iglesias, Luiz Felipe, G. Rodríguez (Real Betis).
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal CF and Real Betis, corresponding to Gameweek 1 of the 2023/24 LALIGA EA Sports season, at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Attendace: 17,825.
