Laliga: Villarreal Edge Espanyol 1-0 to hold on top of five in their hands

Villarreal moved to the fifth and last place of the UEFA Champions League qualification with a 1-0 win over RCD Espanyol in Estadio de la Ceramica, accumulating their fifth direct victory over the Catalan dress.

On paper, it was a golden opportunity for Villar To use their own game on their main rivals for Europe’s high table, Real Betis.

And while the goal was there by the yellow submarine in a quick opening 45 ‘, the technology would play an important role in their denying a opening.

Just before the quarter sign, Juan foyth met one Nicolas Pepe cross in the box and flattened in a duel of the middle with Joan Garcia. Arbitrator Juan Munuera initially gave a penalty, but soon returned that call after consulting the VAR monitor.

Still to lose against a team starting Gameweek outside the first six, Villarreal remained the most dangerous side and seemed to finally take the lead shortly after the clock scored for half an hour.

A quick separation forward without an initial stroke from Saints Vinaana premeditated by Garcia and entered by Thierno barryBut an offside call ensured that the Frenchman would be forced to wait for his 11th goal of the season.

As the second half began, some of the Villarreal believers may have been wondering if there were some psychological luggage from a victory and only one win in the four league.

But they don’t have to worry, as the hosts finally broke the block in the 52nd minute with some static protection from Espanyol allowing Vienana to find Pepe, whose excellent passage found a drowsiness yoke Inside the box. Without hesitation, the side foot beyond a Garcia Statue for its third purpose of the campaign.

The goal also scored his first performance of goal scoring with Espanyol since February 2022. This goal had been the first of four on a 5-1 road, but after a dissatisfied Villarreal goal, Espanyol refused to fall while they did and gathered beyond Mark.

They properly created two good chances to equalize, both fell in Javi Puadowho first forced a savings from Luiz Junior In half of the volleyball, before we hit the side tulle with a finished effort in the far post from a long cross.

Villarreal should have finished the match as a 10 -minute competition from the time when another partition before captured Espanyol protection.

A combination of Barry and Pepe was found Tajon Buchanan Inside the box, but the one with the side legs widely in the lower left corner with a stroke for the first time, despite being unmarked.

However, Espanyol lacked the power of fire to punish him, seeing their invincible league race properly in five games. Meanwhile, the fate of the Champions League of Villarreal has now returned to their hands with five rounds of remaining Laliga.