Quique Setién’s side put in an excellent first-half performance but suffered against Real Madrid in the second half
Villarreal said goodbye to their Copa del Rey run, after losing to Real Madrid at the Estadio de la Cerámica (2-3). The Yellows produced a fantastic first half, but the injuries to Juan Foyth and Raúl Albiol along with exhaustion eventually weighed on the Submarine, who conceded three goals in the second half and saw off the Copa del Rey dream in the last 16.
The Estadio de la Cerámica had a spectacular atmosphere from start to finish in this cup match. After an impressive chanting of the Yellows’ anthem, the spectacle began on the pitch. The Submarine put on a masterclass of football in the first minutes of the game. Setién’s team came out on fire and took the lead before the third minute was up. After a fantastic flick from Gerard Moreno, Étienne Capoue received the ball inside the box and unleashed a powerful shot that surprised Thibaut Courtois and flew into the top corner. Things were off to a good start for Villarreal.
They dominated the early stages of the game. With possession and composure, they pushed a dangerous Real Madrid, who were waiting for their chance and relied on the quality of their attacking players.
Villarreal had the second goal on the half-hour mark. A counter-attack down the right flank, which came from a combination between Samu Chukwueze and Capoue, ended with Álex Baena’s shot, which was blocked by a Madrid defender. A few minutes later, Real Madrid responded. Ferland Mendy’s shot was confidently blocked by Jorgensen.
Villarreal were at ease on the pitch. They even deserved more. So, before half-time, Villarreal took matters into their own hands and converted the second goal of the night. The ball hit the net and madness broke out at La Cerámica. Samu Chukwueze masterfully finished off a fabulous pass into space from Gerard Moreno. Showing the quality of the No.7! With this, he signed his second assist of the match.
In the second half, the Submarine’s luck changed. Albiol and Foyth, defensive pillars of the team, had to leave the pitch. From then on, Los Blancos began to feel more comfortable in the match.
Before the 60th minute, Vinicius pulled one back. With three accurate touches, Madrid put together a quick attack that caught the home side off guard. The visitors made it 2-1. Villarreal experienced their worst minutes of the match and conceded a goal to make it 2-2, scored by Militao. The Brazilian defender headed home a deflected ball in the six-yard box. The match was getting complicated for the Yellows, who, beyond the result, lacked confidence and were suffering from fatigue.
With five minutes to go, Dani Ceballos completed the comeback with a shot from the edge of the box, which flew into the goal defended by Filip Jorgensen. It was a cruel end to a Villarreal side that shone in the first half and suffered from significant defensive absences in the second half.
Line-ups:
Villarreal CF: Jorgensen, Foyth (m. 52, Mandi), R. Albiol (m. 46, J. Cuenca), Pau, Alberto M.; Capoue, Parejo, Álex B., Chukwueze, Yeremy (m. 68, A. J. Morales) and Gerard.
Real Madrid CF: Courtois; Nacho, Militao, Rüdiger, Mendy; Camavinga, Kroos (m. 56, Ceballos), Fede; Rodrygo (m. 56, Asensio), Benzema and Vinicius.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 4: Capoue. 2-0. Min. 42: Chukwueze. 2-1. Min. 57: Vinicius. 2-2. Min. 70: Militao. 2-3. Min. 86: Ceballos.
Referee: Gil Manzano. Booked: Capoue, Reina, Álex B., Pau, Parejo (Villarreal CF); Camavinga, Valverde, Vinicius, Rüdiger (Real Madrid).
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal CF and Real Madrid CF in the last 16 of the 2022/23 Copa del Rey, held at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Attendance: 20,124.
