Villarreal secure Champions League football (5-1)!
02/05/2026
The Submarine thrash Levante and seal Champions League qualification for the second consecutive season
Villarreal CF are back in the Champions League — and they return in emphatic style. The Yellow Submarine sealed their second consecutive qualification for Europe’s top competition after a resounding 5-1 derby victory over Levante UD, powered by a brace from Mikautadze, spectacular strikes from Moleiro and Buchanan, and a late goal from Nicolas Pepe.
Just one point separated Villarreal from mathematically confirming their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League, meaning a win or draw at the Estadio de la Cerámica would be enough. Marcelino’s men approached the match with ambition and intensity from the outset.
Villarreal dominated the opening stages, creating a number of clear chances through Gerard Moreno and Santi Comesaña. Gerard went close early on with a low cross-shot (6’), while Comesaña rattled the post shortly after with a powerful effort from outside the box (10’).
Persistence paid off in the 37th minute when Georges Mikautadze capitalised on a defensive mistake, stealing possession inside the area and finishing brilliantly into the far corner.
Before half-time, Arnau Tenas produced a superb save to deny Carlos Espí, Levante’s only real chance of the opening period.
Levante would find an equaliser early in the second half, as Espí headed home from a cross to make it 1-1 (51’). Villarreal’s response, however, was immediate and decisive.
On 61 minutes, Alberto Moleiro unleashed a stunning long-range strike to restore the Yellows’ lead. Just seven minutes later, Mikautadze struck again, finishing off a flowing move involving Dani Parejo and Nicolas Pepe to make it 3-1.
The hosts kept pushing. Despite several saves from Ryan, there was no stopping Buchanan’s thunderous strike from distance, before Nicolas Pepe rounded off the rout with the fifth goal.
With this commanding victory, Villarreal officially secure their return to the Champions League, confirming their place among Europe’s elite once again.
