Ascrappy stoppage time winner from Manu Trigueros earned Villarreal a 1-0 win at Balaidos on Sunday as they took on Celta Vigo in these two teams’ first match back since the coronavirus pause.
Villarreal were the better side from the off and had several first half chances to take the lead, the best of which saw Ruben Blanco produce a spectacular close-range save to deny Vicente Iborra‘s strike from close to the penalty spot.
At the break, Celta coach Oscar Garcia changed things up by switching to a back three and initially Villarreal struggled to break this down, despite dominating possession.
As the game wore on, the Yellow Submarine had clear chances for Samuel Chukwueze and Carlos Bacca, with the Nigerian seeing his shot saved and the Colombian watching on as his trickled just wide.
Eventually, though, the away side found a way through.
After Ruben Blanco saved from Bacca and Chukweze saw a rebound blocked, Trigueros was able to force the ball in with the help of a deflection.
The result keeps Villarreal in the Europa League conversation, while Celta Vigo are just one point ahead of Real Mallorca and three ahead of Leganes ahead of the two relegation zone sides’ matchday 28 fixtures.
