Villarreal score the most goals in a profesional match in the club’s history, qualifying for the Round of 16
Villarreal qualified brilliantly for the Round of 16 of the Copa del Rey after thrashing UD Almería (8-0). An unforgettable night at the Estadio de la Cerámica in which Karl Toko Ekambi was the star, scoring four of the Yellow Submarine’s eight goals. The Yellows’ four other goals were converted by Carlos Bacca (2), Gerard Moreno and Dani Raba. This is the biggest win for Villarreal CF in an official match in professional football. It should also be noted that Villarreal CF did score eight in a match in Segunda División B in the 1988/89 season against Nules (8-0) when the Yellows boss was Benito Floro.
Javi Calleja’s side needed to beat Almería to stay alive in the knock-out tournament after a 3-3 draw in the first leg. Villarreal gave it their all from the first whistle and this showed in the final result.
The Yellows’ dominance was soon reflected on the score board. In the 22nd minute Jaume Costa played a fantastic long ball down the wing for Toko Ekambi who was through on goal and finished with a well-placed shot at the near post (1-0).
The second goal came seven minutes later. Raba carried the ball to the edge of the box and gifted it to Toko Ekambi, who smashed the ball into the back of the net for a second time, on this occasion into the other top corner (2-0, min. 29).
Villarreal were the better team by a long way and the speed of their attacks caused Almería lots of problems. The goal to make it 3-0 came soon after. Manu Trigueros was fouled on the edge of the box, but the referee played advantage, with the ball falling to Bacca. The ‘cafetero’ played it to Toko Ekambi, with the French-Cameroonian striker finding the back of the net for his hat-trick (min. 35).
Before the break, another goal came. It was 4-0 thanks to Bacca. The Colombian striker had real cold blood in the area, firing past Fernando to make it four.
The tone of the match didn’t change after the break. In fact, the fifth Yellows goal came after just a few seconds. Toko Ekambi got his fourth, thanks to a great take down and a shot just inside the post (5-0, min. 46).
The 6-0 came from Gerard. The Catalan striker got on the end of a long ball by Javi Fuego, beating Fernando with a subtle touch (min. 67).
With Almería struggling, the goal to make it 7-0 came soon after. Gerard was fouled in the box and Bacca stepped up to fire home (min. 82).
The final goal to make it 8-0 came from Raba. He got on the end of a long ball and was deadly in front of a desperate Almería defence.
The Round of 16 draw, Thursday 13th December
Villarreal will know their opponents in the Copa del Rey round of 16 on Thursday 13th December. The draw will take part at 4pm at the Ciudad del Fútbol at Las Rozas. The first leg will be played between 8th and 10th January and the second leg between the 15th and 17th of the same month.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Andrés Fernández; Layún, Bonera, Funes Mori, Jaume Costa; Javi Fuego (Chukwueze, m. 71), Trigueros (Fornals, m. 55), Morlanes, Raba; Toko Ekambi (Gerard, m. 64), Bacca.
UD Almería: Fernando; Iván Martos, Trujillo, Juan ‘Ibiza’ (Saveljilch, m. 48), Montoro; Mario Abenza, Arzura; Lin, Chema, Nano (Juan Carlos, m. 58);, Sekou (Narváez, m. 33).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 22: Toko Ekambi. 2-0. Min. 29: Toko Ekambi. 3-0. Min. 35: Toko Ekambi. 4-0. Min. 44: Bacca. 5-0. Min. 46: Toko Ekambi. 6-0. Min. 67: Gerard. 7-0. Min. 82: Bacca (penalty). 8-0. Min. 89: Raba.
Referee: González Fuertes. Booked: Montoro, Mario Abenza (Almería).
Matchday information: Copa del Rey round of 32 second leg at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of an attendance of 12,739.
