Emery’s side beat Hapoel Be’er Sheva thanks to a great performance by Álex Baena
Villarreal won in Israel. The Yellows overcame Hapoel Be’er Sheva (1-2) thanks to goals from José Luis Morales, from the penalty spot, and Álex Baena, who rounded off a fantastic performance with a beautifully-taken goal. The win takes the Submarine’s tally to six points and keeps them at the top of Group C of the UEFA Europa Conference League.
Unai Emery made some changes to his starting line-up for the game in Israel compared to the last match against Real Betis. From the 11 players who selected against Real Betis, only Yeremy was in the starting XI at the Turner Stadium.
Spurred on by their home fans, the home side started brightly, but the Yellows held off the Israeli onslaught in the early stages of the game.
The home side’s good start faded as the game wore on and Villarreal did not even make an early warning before they struck. The Submarine opened the scoring at the Turner Stadium with a goal from Morales from 11 yards. Baena was brought down in the box by the keeper after receiving an exceptional pass into space from Manu Morlanes.
The game went into the break with Hapoel having a couple of dangerous chances in the yellow area as Emery’s side tried to surprise the Israelis on the counter-attack.
The second half began with the introduction of Nico Jackson. After just a few minutes, the Senegalese forward could have scored the second goal of the game with a shot from inside the box that Glazer easily saved.
Hapoel Be’er Sheva equalised after the Submarine had let them off. The Israeli side found the net from a quick move down the right flank that was finished off by Hatuel with a great finish.
The home goal forced Villarreal to take a step forward in search of victory. Less than five minutes after the equaliser, the Submarine reacted brilliantly with a stunning goal from Baena, who surprised everyone with an acrobatic finish from Yeremy Pino’s measured cross.
With this beautifully crafted goal and after missing a penalty in the last minute, the Yellows took more than just a precious spoil from Israel. Three points to keep them at the top of the UEFA Europa Conference League Group C standings.
Lineups:
Hapoel Be’er Sheva: Glazer; Dadia, Tibi, Miguel Vítor, Abu Abaid (Suleymanov, m. 70), Hélder Lopes; Safuri (Micha, m. 70), Bareiro, Shamir (Jehezkel, m. 83), Ansah (Hemed, m. 57); Selmani (Hatuel, m. 57).
Villarreal CF: Jorgensen; Dela (Kiko F., m. 46), Mandi, J. Cuenca, Mojica; Chukwueze (N. Jackson, m. 46), Morlanes (Danjuma, m. 75), Coquelin (Parejo, m. 58), Baena; Yeremy, A. J. Morales (Capoue, m. 58).
Goals: 0-1. Min. 29: Morales. 1-1. Min. 63: Hatuel. 1-2. Min. 67: Álex B.
Referee: William Collum (Scotland). Booked: Selmani, Hatuel, Bareiro and Suleymanov (Hapoel Be’er Sheva), Yeremy, Cuenca (Villarreal CF).
Matchday information: Match between Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Villarreal CF, corresponding to Matchday 2 of the UEFA Europa Conference League group stage, at the Turner Stadium.
