The Submarine drew thanks to goals from Moi Gómez and Raba in the second half, but the win slipped away from them in the 71st minute
Villarreal were defeated to SC Braga (2-3) in a friendly at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Unai Emery’s side went into the break 0-2 in, but they turned around the score in the second half through Moi Gómez and Dani Raba. In the 71st minute, when the home side were on top, a quick counter-attack by the Portuguese side saw them score the definitive goal, which made it 2-3.
The Portuguese side went ahead in the sixth minute. A goal-kick by Tiago Sá arrived directly at the boots of Vitinha, who ended up beating the Yellows’ goalkeeper (1-0). Villarreal regrouped after the opposition’s goal and had various chances to draw level, first with a Raba shot from outside the box, and then with a corner.
Despite the improvement, Emery’s side conceded the second goal, with Braga extending their lead in the 24th minute through Galeno. Eight minutes later, Carlos Carvalhal’s side were left with ten men after Fabiano was shown a straight red for bringing down Arnaut Danjuma. The free-kick taken by Paco Alcácer hit the post. The footballer had another chance to get on the scoreboard just before half-time too.
After the half-time break, the Submarine gave their all as they looked to turn the match around. Moi Gómez, with a toe-poke, scored the Yellows’ first goal in the 51st minute. The midfielder, who came on at half-time, made the most of a mix-up in the Portuguese side’s defence to bring the ball down in the box and send it into the back of the net.
Raba managed to level the tie four minutes later, after being the man who provided the assist for Moi Gómez’s goal. The No.17 capitalised on a great Danjuma cross to head the ball into the back of the net in the 55th minute. Iuri Medeiros then made it 2-3 for the Portuguese outfit in the 72nd minute, against the run of play, with Villarreal being the better team in the second half. The scoreboard did not move, and SC Braga took the win in the friendly game that took place at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
Villarreal CF will return to official competition next weekend, when they will face Deportivo Alavés on Matchday 4 of LaLiga at the Estadio de la Cerámica, with the time and date yet to be confirmed.
Lineups:
- Villarreal CF: Sergio Asenjo, Mario Gaspar, Pau Torres, Dela, Pedraza, Rubén Peña, Iborra, Coquelin, Raba, Paco Alcácer.
- SC Braga: Tiago Sá, Fabiano, Bruno Rodrigues, Raúl Silva, Diogo Leite, Lucas Mineiro, André Horta, Galeno, Vitinha, Piazón, Fábio Martins.
- Goals: 0-1. Min. 7: Vitinha. 0-2. Min. 24: Galeno. 1-2. Min. 51: Moi Gómez. 2-2. Min. 55: Raba. 2-3. Min. 72: Iuri Medeiros.
- Referee: Iván Muñoz Pérez. Sent off: Fabiano (SC Braga).
