Villarreal beat Valencia in the derby with a goal by Mario and close in on Europa League qualification
Proud to be ‘groguet’ (yellow)! Villarreal come away with an unforgettable victory against Valencia and take another giant step towards playing UEFA Europa League football next season. The only goal of the game was scored by Mario Gaspar in the final minutes of the game that sent the Estadio de la Cerámica wild. An inevitable goal and three magnificent points.
It was an exciting, high-tempo start to the match. Both teams left everything out there on the pitch and did not give the ball up easily when playing out from the back. Chances started to materialise quickly. The first to try his luck was Samu Castillejo, with a dangerous shot after some great individual skill. A few minutes later it was Cheryshev’s turn. The Yellow number 7 caused mischief down the left wing, but his powerful left-footed strike hit the side netting.
Then Valencia responded. Santi Mina crossed the ball in from the right wing and Rodrigo shot first time but Asenjo was equal to it, getting down quickly to deny the visitors.
The Yellow Submarine goalkeeper proved to be key again moments later. Santi Mina, in an offside position, went through one on one against the Villarreal number one and his shot was met by the goalkeeper’s brick wall of a body once again. Brilliant.
The second half was much quieter in attack, with hardly any chances on goal. The best chance fell to Samu Castillejo, who received the ball in the centre of the box from a Jaume Costa cross, but the number 10’s effort was kept out by Neto.
The Valencia goalkeeper could do nothing to stop Villarreal in the 86th minute though. Manu Trigueros put in a great free kick from out wide on the left and Mario Gaspar flicked the ball on and sent it into the far corner of the net (1-0, m. 86).
With this victory, Villarreal get closer to their objective. In fact, the Submarine will be in the Europa League next season if Getafe do not win their match against Las Palmas tomorrow.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario, Álvaro, Víctor Ruiz, Rukavina (Jaume Costa, m. 46); Rodrigo, Trigueros; Samu Castillejo, Raba (Sansone, m. 82), Cheryshev (Fornals, m. 66); and Bacca.
Valencia CF: Neto; Ruben Vezo, G. Paulista, Garay, Gayá; C. Soler (Ferran, m. 69), Kondogbia, Parejo, Guedes (Andreas, m. 80); Santi Mina (Vietto, m. 66) and Rodrigo.
Goal: 1-0. Min. 86: Mario Gaspar.
Referee: Gil Manzano. Caytioned: Asenjo, Víctor Ruiz, Cheryshev, Rodrigo and Rukavina for Villarreal; Guedes, Parejo and Gayá for Valencia.
Match information: Match corresponding to Matchday 36 in LaLiga played at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of 18,579 spectators.
