Gerard Moreno’s 78th-minute winner lifted Villarreal to a crucial 2-1 victory over RCD Espanyol at Estadio de la Cerámica, keeping the Yellow Submarine’s European ambitions alive in a heated La Liga encounter.
The veteran striker capitalized on a defensive miscommunication between Espanyol center-backs Leandro Cabrera and Sergi Gómez, slotting home from eight yards after substitute Étienne Capoue’s cross deflected off the crossbar. The goal marked Moreno’s eighth of the season and first in five league matches.
“We needed this win badly,” Moreno said after the match. “The team showed character when we were behind, and that’s what separates good teams from average ones.”
Early Drama Sets the Tone
Espanyol stunned the home crowd in the 12th minute when Javi Puado finished a swift counterattack. The Barcelona-based side caught Villarreal’s high defensive line napping as Martin Braithwaite’s through ball split the defense, leaving Puado one-on-one with goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen.
The Danish keeper, making his eighth league start, got a hand to Puado’s effort but couldn’t keep it out. The goal marked Espanyol’s third away strike in their last four La Liga fixtures, a significant improvement from their road struggles earlier in the campaign.
Villarreal’s response came just before halftime when Alexander Sørloth headed home his 11th goal of the season. The Norwegian striker connected with Álex Baena’s corner kick, powering past Espanyol goalkeeper Joan García despite the keeper getting both hands to the ball.
Tactical Battle in Second Half
Both managers made calculated adjustments after the break. Espanyol coach Luis García deployed a more defensive 5-4-1 formation, packing bodies behind the ball to frustrate Villarreal’s possession-heavy approach. The visitors managed just 34% possession in the second half but created two dangerous chances through quick transitions.
Villarreal coach Quique Setién introduced fresh legs in the 65th minute, bringing on Capoue and Gonçalo Guedes to add pace down the flanks. The substitutions paid immediate dividends as the home side dominated the final 25 minutes, registering seven shots to Espanyol’s one.
“We knew they would sit deep after halftime,” Setién explained. “The key was maintaining our intensity and finding spaces between their lines. Gerard’s movement in the box was exceptional tonight.”
European Race Heats Up
The victory moves Villarreal to 35 points from 22 matches, keeping them within striking distance of European qualification spots. They sit three points behind seventh-place Real Betis and five behind Real Sociedad in sixth, with both teams holding games in hand.
For Espanyol, the narrow defeat represents a missed opportunity to climb further away from relegation danger. Luis García’s men remain in 14th place with 24 points, just six clear of the drop zone with 16 matches remaining.
The Parakeets have now lost four of their last six league fixtures, scoring just five goals in that span. Their away form continues to be problematic, with only two victories in 11 road matches this season.
Key Performances and Statistics
Baena orchestrated Villarreal’s attack with typical precision, completing 89% of his passes and creating four scoring chances. The 22-year-old Spanish international has now registered six assists in his last eight league appearances.
Espanyol’s defensive midfielder Keidi Bare impressed despite the loss, making eight tackles and winning 11 of 14 duels in the middle of the park. The Albanian international has been one of the few bright spots in Espanyol’s inconsistent campaign.
Villarreal dominated possession 64% to 36% and outshot their visitors 18-7, but Espanyol’s clinical finishing kept the match competitive until Moreno’s late heroics.
Both teams return to action next weekend, with Villarreal traveling to face Athletic Bilbao on Saturday while Espanyol hosts Valencia in a crucial derby match on Sunday.
