Villarreal qualify for the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey and are still alive in all competitions
Goal accomplished. Villarreal go through to the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey after drawing against CD Toledo (1-1), in a game in which the Yellows created many chances that they did not convert. In the end, a goal by Pato evened things up after Villa’s opening goal. The Yellow Submarine close out 2016 still alive in all three competitions: fourth in LaLiga, in the Round of 32 of the UEFA Europa League and in the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey. Bravo.
Villarreal were well on track in the tie after the 0-3 win picked up in the first leg at the Salto del Caballo stadium. And tonight Fran Escribá’s side controlled the game from the start, creating plenty of chances in the first half. Pato, Santos Borré, Rodrigo and Soriano, who had two chances, all came close to finding the back of the net.
For their part, Toledo had their first good chance right at the end of the first half with a well-placed shot by Zarko, whose effort hit the post.
Villarreal came back on after the break looking to take the lead. In fact, Pato could not have come closer to doing so, his first time shot hitting the underside of the crossbar and then the goal line before bouncing out. Then, it was Toledo that opened the scoring, Villa hitting a powerful, left-footed strike past Barbosa (0-1, m. 56).
Fran Escribá’s side were quick to answer though. Jonathan dos Santos played a killer pass to Pato in the box and the Brazilian just had to tap it into the net (1-1, m. 60).
The last few minutes served to see some of the future Submarine stars in action. Leo Suárez came on for Roberto Soriano and Pau Francisco Torres for Víctor Ruiz. It was the young Vila-real centre back’s debut for the First Team in an official match.
The draw for the Round of 16 in the Copa del Rey will take place on Friday 23rd December at 12:00pm CET at the RFEF headquarters in the ‘Ciudad de Fútbol de Las Rozas’ facility in Madrid.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Barbosa; Mario, Álvaro, Víctor Ruiz (Pau, m. 79), José Ángel; Jonathan dos Santos, N’Diaye, Rodrigo, Soriano (Leo Suárez, m. 66); Pato (Sansone, m. 75) and Santos Borré.
CD Toledo: Manolo; Expósito, Daniel Pérez (Pablo González, m. 69), Echaide, Toni Sánchez; Zarko (Javi Gómez, m. 69), Israel Castro, De Lerma, Villa (Shuang, m. 81); Barranco and Lolo Plà.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 56: Villa. 1-1. Min. 60: Pato.
Referee: Álvarez Izquierdo (Catalonia, Spain). There were no bookings.
Match Information: Match corresponding to the second leg of the Round of 32 of the Copa del Rey played at the El Madrigal stadium. A minute of silence was held for the passing of ex-Yellows Manager Fidel Uriarte.
