Villarreal secured a dramatic 3-2 victory against Celta Vigo on a Wednesday night, a result that felt almost impossible as the visitors laid siege to their opponent’s goal in the dying moments. The home side looked poised for defeat after a first-half performance that had Villarreal chasing shadows, yet they stubbornly clung to hope and found a way to clinch the win.
The opening half belonged to Villarreal, who started with intent and energy that seemed to threaten in waves. Celta woke up after the break, however, and several quick goals from the opposing side turned the complexion of the game. Villarreal’s defense, which had looked vulnerable early on, was forced to endure a relentless onslaught as the scoreboard betrayed them, yet the team managed to respond and keep the deficit manageable. The visitors kept pressing, and their efforts finally paid off with two rapid strikes that pulled them back into contention.
Guaita, the Villarreal goalkeeper, produced a string of crucial interventions. He denied a header from the Norwegian forward with a sharp save in the first period and then tipped a high shot onto the post in the second half, denying what looked like a certain goal. The match intensified as Álex Baena moved through the middle, orchestrating Villarreal’s build-up and dragging the ball forward with pace. The winger pairing of Ilias Akhomach and Pedraza repeatedly won duels on the flanks, providing the home team with crucial width and cutting chances, even as the visitors dominated possession.
Pedraza finally broke the deadlock, capitalizing on Sorloth’s misfortune and firing a precise diagonal shot past Guaita to give Villarreal the lead. The goal sparked a response from Celta, who surged forward with renewed aggression, trying to pin Villarreal back and equalize. Despite the increased pressure, the Galician side did not find a clear-cut chance worthy of turning the tide until a late moment when Romero, stepping in for the injured Pedraza, came close to doubling the lead after a clever sequence by Bena, only for the attempt to slide just wide through Guaita’s legs.
Villarreal extended their advantage on a set-piece situation. Although Guaita thwarted an initial strike from Álex Baena, Mandi followed in to nod the ball into the net at the far post, highlighting a moment of defensive hesitation. The half also featured Tapia’s ambitious shot as Celta’s offensive efforts stagnated, with Benítez’s side struggling to find a path through a compact Villarreal defense.
As the game resumed after the break, Rafa Benítez introduced fresh legs in an attempt to reassert control. The changes yielded almost immediate consequences when a penalty was awarded after a foul on Alberto Moreno; Parejo converted to widen Villarreal’s margin and add to the home team’s growing confidence.
Thereafter, the momentum shifted visibly. Celta found an opening when Douvikas punished a clearance error near the back post, pulling one back and reigniting their hopes. The match swung into a more even contest as Strand Larsen then equalized, capitalizing on a well-worked team move that broke the rigidity of Villarreal’s defense and offered a glimpse of a dramatic late twist.
With roughly half an hour remaining, Mingueza’s energy helped Benítez’s side reassert themselves. The game descended into a frenetic spell, with Albiol sidelined by injury, forcing Villarreal to take a different stance in midfield and defense. Jorgensen produced a crucial save to deny Strand Larsen from close range, preserving the draw and keeping Villarreal’s lead intact for the moment.
Celta began to tighten their grip on the ball, pressing high and filling the lanes with bodies to stifle Villarreal’s buildup. As the late minutes ticked away, the Galician outfit continued to push for a dramatic late goal, piling bodies forward and forcing Villarreal to defend with discipline and collective resolve. Manu Sánchez forced Altimira into a challenging save as the visitors’ urgency grew.
The match wore on toward an extended stoppage, lasting into the 15th minute of added time. Celta remained relentless and again looked to Douvikas for a breakthrough, but Villarreal’s organization and stubborn defending kept the scoreline from tilting in favor of the visitors. The contest concluded with Villarreal somehow clinging to their lead and denying Celta the chance to snatch a late point, securing a victory that will be remembered for its resilience as much as for its goals.