Villarreal CF reached the UEFA Europa League quarter-finals in the 2018/19 season, looking impressive on the pitch and picking up good results in a difficult season domestically. The Yellow Submarine knocked out notable opponents, such as Sporting CP and Zenit.

Villarreal came through the UEFA Europa League group stage as Group G winners after not losing any of their six games against the opponents. Rapid Vienna, Rangers FC and Spartak Moscow. The Yellow Submarine were unbeaten until the quarter-finals, where they were knocked out to Valencia CF.

After qualifying from the group stage, Sporting CP was the next tough ask for Villarreal CF. In the first leg (0-1), an Alfonso Pedraza goal silenced the José Alvalade. A draw in the second leg (1-1) at the Estadio de la Cerámica, thanks to Pablo Fornals’ goal, sealed the Yellows’ place in the Round of 16.

It was time to travel to Russia to face Zenit Saint Petersburg. The result (1-3), was the best outcome possible for the Yellows. Vicente Iborra, Gerard Moreno and Manu Morlanes scored the goals which gave Villarreal advantage going into the second leg, which saw another win (2-1) at home, with strikers Gerard and Carlos Bacca scoring.

Finally, Villarreal CF were eliminated from the competition in a derby against Valencia CF, with two defeats, 1-3 at home and 2-0 at Mestalla. The Yellows had control of the ball for long spells during the tie, but Los Che were lethal on the counter-attack. Santi Cazorla, from the penalty spot in the first leg, gave the Yellows hope of a comeback in the second leg, but it was not to be.