The Submarine, with goals from Chukwueze and Danjuma, earned a point in their last Conference League match at the Ciutat de Valencia
Samu Chukwueze and Arnaut Danjuma scored to earn the Submarine a draw against Hapoel Be’er Sheva in Quique Setién’s first game as Villarreal CF coach and in the Yellows’ final match at the Ciutat de València in the UEFA Europa Conference League (2-2). Villarreal, who were already qualified following their win against FK Austria Wien on Matchday 4, earned a point from the visit of the Israeli side.
Quique Setién’s side took early control of the ball and, as a result, enjoyed a double chance from a set piece in the eighth minute. Manu Trigueros side-footed ball from the edge of the area for Alberto Moreno to volley it, which the visiting keeper parried but did not clear it and, from the rebound, Chukwueze, from a tight angle, hit the crossbar.
Despite their dominance on the pitch, the Yellows were unable to take the lead into the break. Hapoel Be’er Sheva, for their part, hardly troubled a reliable Pepe Reina, who was safe in the few interventions he made during the first 45 minutes. At the end of the first half, Villarreal and Hapoel Be’er Sheva were leveled.
The second half started uphill for the Submarine who, in the 47th minute, were awarded penalty against for a handball by Aïssa Mandi. Hamed made no mistake from the spot and Be’er Sheva took the lead.
However, the visitors joy was short-lived when, in the 57th minute, Samu Chukwueze struck from the halfway line of the box after a good build-up play, and the ball was struck into the back of the net just inside the top corner.
The Submarine’s persistence was not only enough to equalise, but also to turn the game around. Danjuma, after a delightful back-heel from Manu Trigueros, dribbled past the last Hapoel defender to score perfectly with his left foot to make it 2-1 with 20 minutes to go.
In the 71st minute Hapoel Be’er Sheva equalised again. Jehezkel, after a good individual move, tied the game at two which was to be the final score of the match.
Villarreal, who have been top of the group since the previous matchday, will close the UEFA Conference League group stage against Lech Poznan on Thursday 3 November.
Line-ups
Villarreal CF: Reina; Kiko F., Mandi, J. Cuenca, Alberto M. (min. 65, J. Mojica); Chukwueze, Morlanes (min. 71, Parejo), M. Trigueros, Álex. B (min. 71, Lo Celso); Yeremy (min. 65, A.J. Morales), Danjuma (min. 78, N. Jackson).
Hapoel Be’er-Sheva: Glazer; Abu Abaid, Yosefi (min. 61, Hatuel), Miguel Vítor, Hélder Lopes; Elias, Shamir, Micha (min. 71, Safuri); Hemed (min. 61, Suleymanov), Ansah (min. 71, Selmani), Jehezkel (min. 82, Maman).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 48: Hemed. 1-1. Min. 57: Chukwueze. 2-1. Min. 70: Danjuma. 2-2. Min. 79: Jehezkel.
Referee: Juxhin Xhaja (Albania). Booked: Álex B. (Villarreal); Miguel Vítor, Jehezkel, Hélder Lopes, Elías (Hapoel Be’er Sheva).
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal CF and Hapoel Be’er Sheva, corresponding to Matchday 5 of the 2022/23 UEFA Europa Conference League group stage, held at the Ciutat de València. Attendance: 6,338.
