The Yellows beat Osasuna with a goalscoring debut from Paco Alcácer and two other goals from Rubén Peña and Santi Cazorla
Villarreal beat CA Osasuna at the Estadio de la Cerámica in a match where the Submarine impressed (3-1). Paco Alcácer made his debut as part of the starting XI, and also scored the Yellows’ first goal. Rubén Peña and Santi Cazorla, the latter from the penalty spot, killed off the tie. This result sees the Yellows end the day seventh in the table, in the spots to qualify for European football next season.
Javi Calleja went with everything. The head coach lined up with Paco Alcácer starting up front, Gerard on the right flank and Mario Gaspar as left-back in defender. The Valencian striker’s debut couldn’t have gone any better, with him scoring the goal to make it 1-0 on the verge of half-time.
Before, the game was quite equal. Osasuna were well set up on the pitch, but the Submarine created danger by trying to play passes between the lines. That wasn’t easy though, due to the organisation of the away side.
After 44 minutes of blows exchanged, the goal to make it 1-0 arrived. Manu Trigueros once more picked out another inch-perfect assist, with a goal which left Alcácer one-on-one against the Osasuna goalkeeper. The Yellows No.17 showed his class and cold blood, finishing perfectly. A real striker’s goal. Joy and suspense. The referee ruled the goal out for an inexistent offside from Alcácer, who was in his own half when Trigueros played his pass. VAR overturned the decision, and the supporters at the Estadio de la Cerámica went mad.
If the first half ended brilliantly, the second half started badly for the Yellows. Osasuna equalised from a corner, that was headed home by Aridane at the back post (m. 47).
Villarreal didn’t fold, instead making it 2-1 not long later. Cazorla laid the ball out to the left, Peña cut inside with skill, curling it into the far post. It was the full-back’s first goal for the Yellows.
The Submarine went all out. The goal to make it 3-1 came soon. Paco Alcácer was awarded a clear penalty after being fouled by Aridane, and Santi Cazorla stepped up to score from the spot (m. 58).
In the final minutes, Calleja’s team knew how to hold on to their lead. The changes brought freshness to the Yellow side and the three points stayed in Vila-real.
The next Villarreal match will be on Wednesday against CD Mirandés in the quarter finals of the Copa del Rey (9pm, Anduva).
Lineups:
Villarreal CF: Asenjo; Mario Gaspar, Albiol, Funes Mori, Rubén Peña; Cazorla, Iborra, Trigueros (Anguissa, m. 66), Moi Gómez; Gerard (Chukwueze, m. 54), Paco Alcácer (Fer Niño, m. 78).
CA Osasuna: S. Herrera; Nacho Vidal, Aridane, David García, Estupiñán; Moncayola, Íñigo Pérez; R. Torres, Rubén García (José Arnáiz, m. 65), Rober Ibáñez (Adrián, m. 78); Marc Cardona (Enric Gallego, m. 65).
Goals: 1-0. Min. 44: Paco Alcácer. 1-1. Min. 47: Aridane. 2-1. Min. 53: Rubén Peña. 3-1. Min. 58: Cazorla (p).
Referee: Pizarro Gómez. Booked: Cazorla, Anguissa, Fer Niño (Villarreal); Estupiñán, Aridane (Osasuna).
Matchday informatoin: Game corresponding to LaLiga Matchday 22 at the Estadio de la Cerámica with an attendance of 17,081.
