With a last-minute goal from Veiga, the Submarine snatches a point in a thrilling clash with Juventus
Villarreal experienced their first home night of the Champions League this season. And what a night! Marcelino’s team salvaged a point in heroic fashion thanks to a last-gasp goal from Renato Veiga. The groguets, after dominating and looking superior in the first half, saw Juventus strike back early in the second half with goals from Gatti and Conceiçao. Spurred on by an incredible atmosphere and a devoted crowd, the Submarine threw everything forward and secured the equaliser, much to the delight of their fans.
Against Juventus, the Champions League returned to the Estadio de la Cerámica. Vila-real welcomed back the world’s most beautiful football competition – the one that 20 years ago made us all dream with Arruabarrena’s goal in the quarter-finals against Inter, and again in 2022 during the historic semi-finals against Liverpool, where the Submarine came back with so much heart to level a 2-0 half-time deficit.
The atmosphere in Vila-real was electric, befitting a great European night. The fans prepared an incredible welcome to carry the Submarine into the stadium. Inside, the celebration continued as the famous and thrilling Champions League anthem rang out.
For this blockbuster match, Marcelino fielded a starting XI with Arnau Tenas in goal; a back four of Mouriño, Rafa Marín, Renato Veiga and Alfonso Pedraza; a midfield trio of Dani Parejo, Santi Comesaña and Pape Gueye; and an attacking line of Tajon Buchanan, Georges Mikautadze and Nicolas Pepe.
Villarreal began the match boldly, looking to attack from the first whistle. Nicolas Pepe was a constant menace to his marker, Colombian Cabal, who picked up an early yellow before being forced off with a muscle issue.
The Submarine was sharp and aggressive. In the 17th minute, Georges Mikautadze put Villarreal ahead, sparking celebrations at La Cerámica. In a fantastic transition, the Georgian raced into space, controlled a precise Dani Parejo pass, and, even after falling, the ball reached teammate Nicolas Pepe, who, upon entering the area, squared it back to the No.9, who slotted home with his right foot to make it 1-0.
The fans were enjoying the show, and Villarreal kept pressing. Just three minutes later, Pedraza rattled the post with a trademark charging run, ending with a fierce left-footed strike that Perin parried.
Juventus struggled to settle, though they still threatened. A move down the left saw McKennie test Tenas, who produced a crucial save. A couple more dangerous balls into the area forced the Submarine’s Catalan goalkeeper into further intervention.
Late in the first half, Juventus pushed forward, forcing Villarreal to defend. But the groguets remained dangerous on the counter. Buchanan came close to doubling the lead just before the break, linking up with Mikautadze, Pepe and Gueye, though his strike was blocked by Perin after a clever flick from Marín on a corner.
The second half started poorly for Villarreal. Juventus almost equalised immediately, as Conceiçao cut inside and laid a perfect ball for Jonathan David, who inexplicably missed from close range.
The warning signs became reality two minutes later. Juventus equalised (1-1) through Federico Gatti, who acrobatically finished in the heart of the area. Despite touching it, Tenas could not prevent the ball from finding the net.
The blow was harsh for Villarreal, who, with little time to react, conceded again in the 55th minute. Conceiçao intercepted in midfield, ran at Marín and scored into the centre of the goal to make it 1-2.
Within just ten minutes, Juventus had turned the game on its head. The Submarine needed time to regroup, regaining composure and gradually taking control of the match. From the hour mark, Villarreal reappeared near the opposition goal, relying on physicality more than flair.
Marcelino’s substitutions included Tani Oluwaseyi and Moleiro first, followed later by Cardona and Ilias Akhomach.
As the match entered its final phase, everything was wide open. Juventus sought to seal the win, while Villarreal pushed for an equaliser. In the 71st minute, Jonathan David struck the crossbar from close range after controlling a ball in a tight angle. Just three minutes later, the groguets came close again as Oluwaseyi headed over following a Rafa Marín flick from a corner.
Villarreal refused to give up. And in the 90th minute, their persistence was rewarded. From a corner, Renato Veiga rose highest to head home an unstoppable equaliser. A goal that secured a vital point – the first of the Submarine’s UEFA Champions League campaign this season.
