The Senegalese striker scored a brace to guide Villarreal to victory over Cadiz CF
Nico Jackson ruled the roost. A brace from the Senegalese striker guided Villarreal to victory over Cádiz CF (2-0) at the Estadio de la Cerámica. The Yellows took three points that put them in fifth place with 63 points.
With the objective of playing in the UEFA Europa League next season already achieved, the Yellows received Cádiz with mathematical options of seeking the complicated but still possible qualification to the Champions League, which Real Sociedad are very close to doing.
Setién’s side are finishing the season in excellent form. Before the match against the Cádiz side, Villarreal had a total of five wins in six league games. Impressive records that the Submarine were looking to build on.
The team started the game better than their opponents. In the opening stages, Gerard stole the ball from Espino in a tight situation and went one-on-one with Ledesma, sending the ball narrowly wide of the post.
Villarreal’s next chance would not be a warning. In the 20th minute, Nico Jackson made it 1-0 after an impressive individual move. The Senegalese striker received a long ball, powerfully beat two defenders, dribbled past the goalkeeper and shot into an empty net.
Setién’s team’s goal further established the home side’s dominance. The Yellows were playing in their opponents’ half and were looking to widen the gap on the scoreboard. In fact, they did, but the referee Pulido Santana disallowed it in a clamorous error in which he was assisted by the VAR.
Villarreal, incensed after the referee’s decision to flag a non-existent foul on Yeremy, still made it 2-0 before the break. Nico Jackson, completely unleashed, was at his best again and, after an incredible run, rounded Ledesma to put the scoreboard back on level terms.
In the second half, the Submarine looked to score the third goal and close out the game before the final stretch. Gerard, Trigueros and Lo Celso tried, without luck, before the midway point of the second half. Pepe Reina was also in the spotlight, making a number of fine saves and thwarting each and every one of the Cádiz attacks. The clearest of these was a one-on-one with Escalante in the 75th minute.
Villarreal extended the momentum and secured another win to consolidate their position in fifth place in the league.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Reina; Kiko F., Mandi, Pau, Alberto M. (J. Mojica, m. 69); Lo Celso (R. Terrats, m. 69), Parejo, M. Trigueros; Gerard (Chukwueze, m. 69), N. Jackson (J. Pascual, m. 87), Yeremy (Álex B., m. 87).
Cádiz CF: Conan; Iza (De la Rosa, m. 64), Luis Hernández, Jorge Meré, A. Espino; I. Alejo, F. San Emeterio (R. Alcaraz, m. 46), Escalante (Jose Mari, m. 82), T. Bongonda (A. Negredo, m. 70); Sobrino (Mwepu, m. 70), Sergi Guardiola.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 20: N. Jackson. 2-0. Min. 45+2: N. Jackson.
Referee: Pulido Santana. Booked: Alberto M. (Villarreal CF); F. San Emeterio & R. Alcaraz (Cádiz CF).
Matchday information: Match between Villarreal CF and Cádiz CF, corresponding to Gameweek 36 of the 2022/23 LaLiga Santander season, at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Attendance: 15,099.
