The Submarine defeat Celta led by an impressive Nico Jackson and build confidence for the final stretch of the season
A vital win against RC Celta (3-1). Villarreal beat the Galician side thanks to an impressive goal from Nico Jackson, who scored a brace, and a goal from Ramón Terrats. With the win, the Yellows have three points that consolidate their position in fifth place and give them confidence for the final stretch of the championship.
Villarreal and their fans met again this Sunday at their favourite venue, the Estadio de la Cerámica, for another league match, just three days after the victory over RCD Espanyol (4-2). For the match, Quique Setién repeated the same line-up as on that day, and the Submarine did not do badly at all.
The match started with the referee’s whistle and… with Nico Jackson’s first goal. The Senegalese striker took advantage of a fabulous pass into space from Yeremy to get into the box and beat Iván Villar without hesitation. Villarreal were 1-0 up before the two-minute mark.
The Yellows confirmed their good start to the game with another goal before the quarter of an hour mark. Nico Jackson made it 2-0 (min. 12). This time, the striker scored with a great finish after a magnificent assist from Gio Lo Celso.
The feelings were fantastic for Villarreal, who were showing their punch and were frightening with every approach to the box. In the 26th minute, Yeremy was awarded a penalty from a corner. Dani Parejo took the spot-kick and was unsuccessful from the spot. The midfielder tried his luck with a panenka, which went over the crossbar.
Just three minutes after the penalty miss, RC Celta scored. Stand Larsen finished off a move by the Galician side on the left flank. From inside the area, and after a rebound from the yellow defence, the Norwegian striker shot low and placed it to the far post. Impossible for Pepe Reina. The game went to the break with the score at 2-1 in favour of the Submarine.
Celta improved a lot in the second half. Especially after Aspas, Veiga and Beltrán came on the pitch. Villarreal were suffering and the Galician side were going for the equaliser. When things were looking worse for the locals, Álex Baena started a promising counter-attack. He drove into the space and opened up to the left, where Yeremy was waiting. After a cut-back, he got rid of his marker and passed back for Ramón Terrats, who,with great composure, put the ball into the back of the net. The Catalan midfielder scored his first goal as for Villarreal.
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Reina; Foyth, Mandi, Pau, Alberto M.; Lo Celso (R. Terrats, m. 46), Parejo, Capoue (Álex B., m. 63); Chukwueze (Hassan, m. 63), N. Jackson (M. Trigueros, m. 75), Yeremy (A. Pedraza, m. 85).
RC Celta: Iván Villar; Kevin V., Nuñez, Aidoo Jr, Javi Galán; Cervi (Miguel, m. 72), Óscar (Gabri Veiga, m. 63), Tapia (Fran Beltrán, m. 63), De La Torre; Stand Larsen (G. Paciencia, m. 79), Seferovic (Iago Aspas, m. 63).
Goals: 1-0. Min 2: N. Jackson. 2-0. Min. 12: N. Jackson. 2-1. Min. 29: Stand Larsen. 3-1. Min 70: R. Terrats.
Referee: González Fuertes. Booked: Capoue (Villarreal); Seferovic, Kevin V., Núñez & Tapia (RC Celta).
Matchday information: Game between Villarreal CF and RC Celta, corresponding to Gameweek 32 of the 2022/23 LaLiga Santander season at the Estadio de la Cerámica. Attendance: 16,123.
