Villarreal secured their first win of the campaign with a 0-1 result on the road against Mallorca at Son Moix, thanks to a second half strike from Spanish international Gerard Moreno.
The visitors prioritized defensive organization in the opening 45 minutes, pressing high but unable to break through the Mallorca goalkeeper Filip Jørgensen. A cruel twist came late in the half as Mallorca captain Antonio Raillo sustained an injury and had to leave the pitch, a moment that briefly shifted the home team’s momentum.
Son Moix staged a spirited response as Aguirre kept faith with the starting XI that had produced a draw in the previous match. The main change for Las Palmas involved Antonio Raillo returning to the lineup, but in Mallorca the tactical balance remained intact with a compact structure that limited Villarreal’s attacking freedom early on.
The Mallorca setup emphasized a five-man defensive block while Villarreal enjoyed possession for long spells, though they found it difficult to threaten with precision in the final meters. The visitors displayed patience and discipline, looking to exploit moments when their opponent’s press dropped, and they almost cracked the scoreline before halftime when a late push created half chances, underlining the visitors’ intent to control the tempo.
Muriqi faced lonely moments at the apex, and Aguirre reacted by introducing changes to increase attacking penetration. Darder and Samu Costa entered after the restart, in place of Manu Morlanes and Amath Ndiayé, while Cyle Larin and Javi Llabrés later joined the fray in search of a breakthrough. For Villarreal, the strategic plan remained clear as they sought to stretch Mallorca with pace and movement from the wings and through the middle.
Quique Setién opted for an aggressive lineup with a front three that included debutants Ben Brereton and Alexander Sorloth alongside Gerard Moreno, aiming to disrupt Mallorca on the counter and in transitions. The first half saw Parejo, Terrats, and Baena probing but not connecting effectively with the forwards, leaving the scoreline modest at the break.
The officiating drew attention as Alberola Rojas issued a yellow card to Mallorca’s Omar Mascarell in the early minutes, and a disputed handball incident involving Jørgensen during a clearance sparked protests from the home bench. A moment of renewed concern came when Raillo reappeared after a previous knock but later left the field on a stretcher following a sprain, with Giovanni González stepping in to reinforce the Mallorca defense.
In the second half, Mallorca pushed forward with renewed vigor and briefly balanced the contest despite a late reshuffle that saw Raillo exit and González take the captaincy on the field. Villarreal’s moments of menace culminated in a decisive goal when Moreno found the net from a set piece routine that reexecuted the visitors’ attacking intent. The goalkeeper’s display in the early stages had helped Mallorca stay in the match, but Moreno finally broke the deadlock to give Villarreal the crucial advantage.
Even as the game opened up late, Mallorca remained resolute, and the visitors defended their lead with composure. The home side pressed for a late equalizer, but Villarreal held firm, closing out a hard-fought victory that underscored their ability to manage a tough away day and secure three points away from home. The result was a reminder of Villarreal’s characteristic resilience and efficiency when it matters most, with Moreno’s strike sealing the outcome and confirming their status as competitive contenders in the early phase of the season.
Contemporary social media broadcasts highlighted Moreno’s tally and Villarreal’s continuing pursuit of goals, reinforcing the club’s identity as a reliable attacking force in La Liga. The match offered a snapshot of the early-season dynamics, with both sides showing ambition and discipline, yet it was Villarreal who emerged with the win thanks to a timely goal and solid defensive organization throughout the 90 minutes. The result contributed to the ongoing narrative of Villarreal challenging for European positions while Mallorca, despite the setback, demonstrated competitiveness and a clear plan under Aguirre’s guidance. This encounter added another chapter to the evolving story of both clubs as the season unfolds. (attribution: club communications and match reports)