Villarreal secured a valuable win in a competitive match against Osasuna, finishing 0-3 at El Sadar. Chukwueze opened the scoring in the first half and Morale doubled the lead after halftime, lifting Villarreal to second place in the table behind the frontrunners and strengthening their hold on sixth with 41 points.
Osasuna showed ambition from the opening minutes, pressing high and moving the ball with speed to control the flanks. Lucas Torró emerged as the main organizer of the home side’s play, directing the tempo and creating chances through the middle and wide areas.
Villarreal did not back down. Early on, Reina played the ball out to Parejo, who delivered a precise pass to Pedraza. The fullback advanced into the box and sent a low cross across the goal, where Chukwueze finished decisively with his left foot. The referee later disallowed the Nigerian winger’s second goal for offside, a decision that sparked debate among the spectators.
The tempo of the game was dictated by Quique Setién’s midfield, which pushed forward with intent, aiming at the goal with sharp, directional passes that tested Osasuna’s defense, which was anchored by Aitor Fernández.
Gerard Moreno picked up an injury in the 35th minute but remained stationary for a moment before walking off the field. His exit left a sense of uncertainty about Villarreal’s attacking plan for the remainder of the match, with the team looking for fresh options to maintain pressure on the Navarrese defense.
Pedraza, who had provided the assist for Villarreal’s opener, left the field with a bleeding nose after his tireless work down the flank, continuing to torment Osasuna’s back line even as he was substituted. The halftime whistle gave both sides a chance to regroup. Osasuna adjusted their approach and pressed higher, while Villarreal reorganized their shape to exploit the spaces that opened up at the back for the hosts. Abde and Chimy Ávila pushed forward in occasional forays, but a combination of stout defending and key blocks kept them from scoring.
A controversial moment arose when a potential penalty looked likely for Osasuna after Yeremy Pino appeared to handle the ball in the box; however, neither the referee nor the video assistant deemed the incident a foul, allowing Villarreal to preserve their lead and momentum into the second half.
With Osasuna still seeking a way back, Villarreal found opportunities to extend their advantage through fast counterattacks and controlled build-up play. After a period of sustained pressure, the visitors finally broke through again as Morales finished a well-constructed move, ppushing Villarreal further ahead and stamping their control on the match. The third goal arrived in stoppage time when Morales converted a late chance after a well-worked sequence that showcased the team’s cohesion in attack.
Supporters witnessed a match characterized by intensity and clinical finishing from Villarreal, who demonstrated patience and precision in attack while absorbing Osasuna’s spirited efforts. The final whistle confirmed a triumphant afternoon for Villarreal as they continued their push for a higher position in the league standings.
Data sheet
0 – Osasuna: Aitor; Nacho Vidal, Darko, Aridane, David García, Manu Sánchez; Torró, Pablo Ibáñez, Barja, Moncaola, Moi Gómez; Chimy Ávila, Abde, Budimir.
3 – Villarreal: Reina; Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Pedraza; Trigueros, Parejo, Terrats; Chukwueze, Gerard, Pino.
Goals: Chukwueze 0-1 (14th minute), Morales 0-2 (85th), Morales 0-3 (93rd).
Referee: Muñiz Ruiz assisted by De Francisco Grijalba and Blanco Rodríguez. Yellow cards: Nacho Vidal, Torró, and Darko for Osasuna. Yeremy Pino and Morales cautioned for Villarreal.
Attendance: 20,128 spectators. The match belonged to the La Liga Santander schedule and was played at El Sadar stadium.