Villarreal CF managed to hold off RC Celta in a hard-fought 3-2 victory. Despite a dominant start by the Castellón team, the Celestes showed strong resilience in the second half, scoring two goals that left them on the verge of earning a crucial point.
Villarreal took to the field with determination, dominating the early stages of the first half and putting pressure on a rival defense that survived thanks to the performance of the Celeste goalkeeper. But Guaita couldn’t stop everything, and when the scoreboard showed a disheartening 3-0, the situation seemed irreparable. However, Celta did not give up and, led by a triple substitution by Benítez at halftime, began an impressive comeback. The Galician team awakened with a goal from Douvikas and another consecutive one from Strand Larsen, unleashing the Celeste attack and leaving Villarreal bewildered. After numerous arrivals and chances, the much-desired equalizer seemed within RC Celta’s reach, but the team failed to materialize it before the referee blew the final whistle.
A close 3-2 in the last match of the year leaves the Celestes focused on their next match: on January 3, 2024, at 19:15 h, at home against Real Betis Balompié.
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
3- Villarreal CF: Jörgensen; Altimira, Albiol (Cuenca, min. 60), Mandi, Pedraza (Carlos Romero, 22); Ilias (Terrats, min. 88), Parejo, Comesaña, Alberto Moreno (Morales, min. 60); Baena (Trigueros, min. 88) and Sørloth.
2- RC Celta: Guaita; Kevin Vázquez (Miguel Rodríguez, min. 86), Unai Núñez, Starfelt (Domínguez, min. 46), Mihailo (Manu Sánchez, min. 46); Dotor, Tapia, Luca (Mingueza, min. 46), Cervi (Bamba, min. 82); Douvikas and Larsen.
Goals: 1-0, min. 13: Pedraza; 2-0, min. 40: Mandi; 3-0, min. 48: Parejo (p); 3-1, min. 52: Douvikas; 3-2, min. 57: Larsen.
Referee: César Soto Grado (Riojan Committee). He cautioned the home players Baena and Comesaña and the visitors Kevin Vázquez, Mingueza, Manu Sánchez, and Douvikas.
Incidents: match corresponding to matchday 18 of LALIGA EA SPORTS played at the Estadio de la Cerámica in front of 14,687 spectators.
