The Yellow Submarine’s subsidiary secured a dramatic win by scoring twice in added time to seal the three points against Cartagena.
Villarreal B produced an encouraging performance that led to an extra-time success over Cartagena, clinching victory in a match that brought a valuable set of points. The home side opened the scoring through Álex Millán in the early stages, but Cartagena answered quickly with goals from Borja Valle and Kiko Olivas, turning the momentum in their favor.
In the second half, Luis Carrión’s squad looked to be in control. A late twist arrived when a penalty in the 70th minute boosted the mini-sub’s mood. Adrián de la Fuente converted from the spot, and moments later Pablo Vázquez, who had committed the earlier foul, found himself dismissed, leaving Cartagena down to ten men and Villarreal B poised to capitalize.
With the numeric advantage and time slipping away, Villarreal B pressed forward. In a dramatic finish, they found three goals in added time to claim the victory. Antonio Pacheco, Alex Flores and Nikita Iosifov provided the decisive strikes, ensuring Villarreal B kept the points at home.
The summary of Villarreal B vs. Cartagena 2022-2023: video, goals and statistics
In stoppage time, Nikita produced a late equalizer that pushed the game into extra time, signaling a thrilling finale for the hosts. Alex Flores struck in the dying moments of the match to intensify the drama and set up a late comeback narrative. Antonio Pacheco completed the comeback with a late goal in stoppage time as Villarreal B turned the game around.
Minute 76 saw Pablo Vázquez sent off, leaving Cartagena with ten players after a second yellow card. He had been the player who took the earlier penalty, highlighting the high tension in the closing stages.
Minute 72 featured Adrián de la Fuente converting from eleven meters, keeping Cartagena on edge as the clock wound down. A penalty in the 70th minute had shifted the balance, giving Villarreal B renewed purpose and momentum.
Minute 69 hinted at a potential breakthrough for the visiting side, as Mikel Rico threatened to change the complexion of the game. The second half had just begun, and rest was brief before the late drama unfolded.
Minute 29 saw Kiko Olivas level the proceedings after a well-worked corner routine, a key moment that sparked renewed belief in Cartagena. Earlier, at minute 19, Borja Valle had equalized with a precise close-range finish following a smart build-up from Óscar Ureña. Minutes earlier, Alex Millán had given the home team the lead, with an assist from Fer Niño setting up the early advantage.
The match kicked off in Castellón, with both teams setting a brisk tempo. Final confirmations from Cartagena and Villarreal B provided the stage for a highly charged contest full of momentum swings and late drama.
In terms of overall action, Villarreal B showed resilience and the ability to turn pressure into goals when it mattered most, while Cartagena demonstrated resolve in holding the lead and fighting back through quick transitions and set-piece routines. The late sequence of events illustrated the volatility of football’s dying moments and underscored the importance of discipline and composure during high-stakes finales.
The exchange of goals, the red card, and the late penalties all contributed to a memorable encounter that highlighted the competitive nature of the Segunda Division and the growing potential within Villarreal B’s squad as the season progressed.
Fans were left with a clear sense of the home side’s character: never give up, even when the clock seems against them. The match served as a reminder that perseverance and timely finishing can tilt a hard-fought game in the closing minutes, turning a draw into victory and a regular result into a statement win.
Eleven players on both sides were listed as starters for the match, with the tactical contest evolving as each side sought to impose their plan. The dramatic finish will be remembered as a turning point for the home team, signaling the potential for further breakthroughs in the campaign ahead.
Overall, Villarreal B’s win over Cartagena was a testament to the squad’s depth and tenacity, delivering a memorable late rally that underlined the club’s ambitions in the division and its ability to seize control when opportunities arise in the closing stages of a game.
Source: Goal