The Yellow Submarine beat Orihuela thanks to two Gerard goals in a match that went to extra time
Villarreal qualified for the Copa del Rey Round of 32 after beating Orihuela 1-2 at Los Arcos in a match that went to extra time. Eventually, the Submarine got through the second round of the knockout tournament thanks to two Gerard Moreno goals. Brian scored for Orihuela.
Javi Calleja lined up with an experienced starting XI and the Submarine took control of the ball from the start. After the side from Alicante going close twice early on, Villarreal were in complete dominance. Despite that, clear goalscoring chances were hard to come by for the away side, who were wearing green.
The first chance fell to Carlos Bacca. The Colombian striker was on the end of a great Santi Cazorla pass and got a shot away quickly to be denied by a magnificent save by Aitor at full stretch (m.29).
The Orihuela keeper took centre stage. In the 41st minute, Manu Trigueros crossed from the right, Cazorla headed from yards out and Aitor somehow stuck a leg to it to stop a Villarreal goal. Javi Ontiveros’ shot just after was cleared off the line by a defender.
At half-time, Calleja looked to the bench, bringing on Gerard for Manu Trigueros. An attacking change that was key in the outcome of the tie.
With half an hour left, there was another great chance for Villarreal. Manu Morlanes played through Bacca, with the Colombian striker controlling with his chest and firing a shot at Aitor, who once more made a great reflex save.
The goal to make it 0-1 finally arrived with 71 minutes on the clock. Moi Gómez’s high pass found Gerard, with the Catalan’s chest control beating Aitor and leaving him with an empty net to finish in.
Orihuela drew level with eight minutes left. Brian’s shot was parried by Andrés Fernández, but fell back to Brian’s feet, who made it 1-1 (m.82).
There was controversy in the 84th minute. Bacca scored after a great Moi Gómez ball, but the referee ruled it out for an offside that wasn’t. It would’ve been 1-2. In the Copa del Rey, there isn’t VAR and the goal didn’t go on the scoreboard.
The match went to extra time – meaning there were 30 more minutes to get through to the next round. Bacca had the ball in the back of the next, with it once more being ruled out for an inexistent offside.
The Submarine had another great chance, Bacca shot, Aitor saved, and Gerard’s effort was once more stopped by a miraculous intervention from the Orihuela goalkeeper. Unbelievable.
Villarreal continued pushing forward without letting up. Cazorla was brought down in the box, which the referee failed to signal a penalty for. Frustrating.
The away side had to wait for the goal that made it 1-2. Until the 117th minute to be precise! Alberto Moreno played a ball into the box, Vicente Iborra left it and Gerard curled it into the back of the net.
The draw for the Round of 32, this Tuesday
With this win, Villarreal are into the Copa del Rey Round of 32. The draw will be next Tuesday (14th January) at 1pm CET at the Real Federación Española de Fútbol headquarters.
Lineups:
Orihuela CF: Aitor; Pina, Migue Marín, José Carlos (Javi Llor, m. 75), Rodri (Gilabert, m. 26), Badal, Brian, Solano, Chechu (Cases, m. 62), Pitu (Fondarella, m. 114), Pedro Inglés.
Villarreal CF: Andrés Fernández; Mario Gaspar, Albiol, Funes Mori, Alberto Moreno; Morlanes (Quintillà, m. 110), Trigueros (Gerard, m. 46), Cazorla; Chukwueze (Iborra, m. 87), Ontiveros (Moi Gómez, m. 62), Bacca.
Goals: 0-1. Min. 71: Gerard. 1-1. Min. 82: Brian. 1-2. Min. 117: Gerard.
Referee: Melero López (C. Andaluz). Booked: Badal, Miguel Marín (Orihuela); Iborra (Villarreal).
Incidencias: Match corresponding to Copa del Rey Round 2 at Los Arcos.
