Villarreal CF earn a hard-fought draw against FC St. Gallen in their second pre-season test
Villarreal CF continued their pre-season preparations with a battling 2-2 draw against FC St. Gallen in their second friendly of the summer. Goals from Etta Eyong and Santi Comesaña ensured the Yellows came from behind twice to claim a positive result.
The team coached by Marcelino García Toral lined up with two entirely different elevens in each half and showed character and resilience by responding twice after falling behind on the scoreboard.
The match got off to an intense start. Villarreal threatened early through Barry, who fired wide after a clever piece of skill and a pass from Gerard Moreno. Despite the early promise, it was the Swiss side who made the most of their only chance of the first half. Juan Foyth brought down an opponent inside the area and Geubbels converted from the penalty spot.
The Submarine responded well and began to create danger through the link-up between Barry and Danjuma. First with a chance that missed the target by inches, and shortly afterwards with a one-on-one opportunity for Danjuma that was denied by the home goalkeeper. The Dutch winger had another clear opening in the 39th minute, but once again the St. Gallen stopper came out on top.
As is customary in pre-season friendlies, Villarreal made wholesale changes at the break, with the exception of Rubén Gómez, who had already come on during the first half. Diego Conde, Rubén Gómez and Luiz Júnior all shared minutes across the three 30-minute periods of the match.
Villarreal dominated possession in the second half but struggled to create clear-cut chances. Cardona had a go in the 65th minute with a volley that was once again saved by the goalkeeper. The pressure eventually paid off in the 75th minute, when Etta Eyong finished off a flowing attacking move to level the score at 1-1.
St. Gallen regained the lead in the 83rd minute through Tarek Seferovic, but Villarreal refused to give up. With time running out, Santi Comesaña popped up in the box to head home a precise cross from Sergi Cardona, flicked on by Etta Eyong, and make it 2-2 in the 89th minute.
Line-ups:
FC St. Gallen: Watkowiak; Stanic, Neziri, Geubbels, Boukhalfa, Görtler, Vogt, Gaal, Vandermersch, Okoroji y May. Also played: Vallci, Noah Yannick, Quintillà, Bastien Toma, Leonit Ibraimov, Seferovic.
Villarreal CF:
- First half: Diego Conde (Rubén Gómez, min. 33); Pau Navarro, Foyth, J. Ives Valou, A. Pedraza; Barry, Parejo, Gueye, A. Moleiro; Gerard y Danjuma.
- Second half: Rubén Gómez (Júnior R., min. 63); Pau Navarro, Rafa Marín, Logan Costa (Valou, min. 80), Pedraza; Yeremy, Denis Suárez, Pape Gueye, Pau Cabanes; Pepe, Etta Eyong.
Goals: 1-0. Min. 14: Geubbels (p). 1-1. Min. 75: Etta Eyong. 2-1. Min. 83: Tarek Seferovic. 2-2. Min. 89: Santi Comesaña.
Referee: Marijan Drmic (Switzerland).
Matchday information: Second match of Villarreal CF’s 2025/26 pre-season at Kybunpark (Switzerland).
