Villarreal say farewell to a year with historic achievements and emotional moments for the team and the fans
Villarreal say farewell to an unforgettable 2021, which left great memories for all Yellows. From lifting the UEFA Europa League to playing in the UEFA Super Cup, as well as fans returning to the Estadio de la Cerámica and the UEFA Champions League coming back to Vila-real.
Villarreal rewrite the history books against Arsenal FC
On the way to lifting the first title in their history, Villarreal CF came up once more against Arsenal, an opponent who they had previously faced twice in the UEFA Champions League. This time, they met in a tight UEFA Europa League semi-final where Unai Emery’s men sealed their place in the final.
In the first leg (2-1), at the Estadio de la Cerámica, the Yellows were the better team, beating the English side thanks to goals from Manu Trigueros and Raúl Albiol. A week later, Villarreal went to the Emirates Stadium and got through to the final a tough game (0-0) to play in the first final of their history.
Welcome back home, fans!
One of the best moments for Villarreal CF was the return of fans to the stands of the Estadio de la Cerámica. After the worst moments of the pandemic, on 16th May, Villarreal CF opened the doors of their stadium to some of their fans, who, complying with the healthcare guidelines, were able to once more enjoy watching their team live. Emery’s side celebrated the return of their supporters by comfortably beating Sevilla (4-0) on the penultimate matchday of the domestic championship.
We’re champions!
UEFA Europa League champions! 26th May 2021 will be a day that no Villarreal CF fan will ever forget. The Yellows lifted their first ever UEFA Europa League trophy in Gdansk, after an agonisingly close final against Manchester United.
Emery’s side went ahead with a Gerard Moreno first-half goal, but Edinson Cavani equalised after the break. The rest is history. After a hard-fought extra-time where the Yellows went close, the Submarine ended up winning in a historic penalty shootout (11-10), to lift the first ever title in the history of the club.
Yellow fever on the streets of Vila-real!
Winning the UEFA Europa League sent Villarreal CF fans crazy, with them celebrating the continental title in style. Thousands of the Submarine’s fans, from all over the province of Castellón, headed to Vila-real to celebrate the historic triump in Gdansk.
The Yellows organised a parade to share the trophy with the support. Under the slogan of ‘Europa és nostra’ (Europe is ours), the team went across the town in an open-top bus.
Gerard Moreno lifts the Zarra Trophy once more and makes history in yellow
Gerard Moreno was the top Spanish scorer in LaLiga last season with 23 goals. The Catalan striker showed why is such an important play for Emery’s side, scoring crucial goals for the team, not only in LaLiga, but also in the UEFA Europa League. In fact, it was him who scored the Submarine’s goal in the final. In the UEFA Europa League, he was the top scorer last season, with seven goals. He scored a total of 31 goals, including one in the Copa del Rey, being the seventh top goalscorer in Europe of the 2020/21 season.
Not only that, but Gerard dethroned Giuseppe Rossi as the top goalscorer for Villarreal in the elite. With 91 goals for the Yellows, the Catalan is now the goalscoring king for the Submarine.
Mario, Trigueros and Asenjo become legends
2021 was also special for three of the most important players in the history of the club. Mario Gaspar reached the 400-game mark for the first team last April in the game against Deportivo Alavés at Mendizorrotza. Formed in the Yellows Academy and with 416 ties to his name, Mario was the second player in Villarreal history to reach 400 games for the club after Bruno Soriano (425).
Manu Trigueros, who has been at the club since the summer of 2010, ends 2021 by stepping onto the podium of Yellow Submarine legends. After Mario and Bruno, the midfielder also reached the 400-game mark after featuring against Atlético Sanluqueño in the Copa del Rey.
Sergio Asenjo also became the goalkeeper to play the most games for Villarreal CF, overtaking Diego López. The shotstopper, who has been with the Yellows since the 2013/14 season, is the player to have played the third-most matches for the Submarine out of the current first-team squad (254).
The Submarine go head-to-head with Chelsea
By winning the UEFA Europa League, the Yellows earned their chance to play in the UEFA Super Cup, which took place in Belfast against Chelsea FC, the UEFA Champions League winners. The Submarine had support from some of their fans who were able to travel to the Northern Irish capital to cheer on a team who gave their all to try and bring another trophy back to Vila-real.
At the start of the tie, Chelsea took the lead through Hakem Ziyech. The Yellows didn’t give up, and in the second half, Gerard responded with a great goal to level a final, which once more for the Yellows, was to be decided from the 12-yard spot. Luck was not on the Submarine’s side, with Chelsea ending the penalty shootout victorious (6-5). Despite the defeat, Villarreal and their fans enjoyed a historic moment which will live long in the memory.
The Champions League returns to Vila-real
By winning the UEFA Europa League, Villarreal could return to the leading continental competition, the UEFA Champions League. Ten years later, on 14th September 2021, the traditional and world-recognised hymn of the UEFA Champions League was once more heard at the Estadio de la Cerámica before the opening group stage game against Atalanta BC (2-2).
The club consolidates its project
Villarreal CF are enjoying the present but are always looking to the future. The club sealed contract extensions for important players such as Gerard Moreno (2027), Yeremy Pino (2027), Raúl Albiol (2023), Manu Trigueros (2025) and Vicente Iborra (2024).
The announcement for Gerard’s contract extension was a surprise for all fans, with him turning up dressed as Groguet, in ‘Masked Singer’ style.
Villarreal seal their place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16
Villarreal booked their place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 in epic fashion. After a historic level of snowfall in Bergamo which forced the game to be postponed until the following day, the Yellow Submarine qualified for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16 by beating Atalanta (2-3).
