Villarreal put on a stunning display against Leganes, securing a dominant 5-2 victory on December 22 at the Estadio Butarque. The game, part of Matchday 18 of La Liga, saw Villarreal finally break their streak of poor form, propelling them to share fifth place on the league table.
The match began with Leganes taking the lead early when Seydouba Sissoko scored just six minutes in. Villarreal responded quickly, leveling the score with Tierno Barri finding the net from a rebound. The first half was filled with excitement as Leganes earned a penalty following a foul by Logan Costa on Dani Raba, with Raba converting to make it 2-1. Not long after, Villarreal was awarded their own penalty, and Barri converted it, leaving the score tied at 2-2 at halftime.
Second-half action continued to thrill fans. Oscar Rodriguez of Leganes was shown red for rough play, leaving his team down to ten men. This moment proved pivotal as Barri went on to complete his hat trick, swinging the momentum firmly in Villarreal's favor. Despite Leganes' attempts to claw back, the game slipped out of reach, especially with another penalty awarded to Villarreal, which Gerard Moreno dispatched confidently.
Villarreal’s explosive performance was underpinned by Barri's historic hat trick, marking his first for the team since joining. The final score saw Villarreal notch five goals, with Pau de la Torre securing the fifth and final goal from long range as the clock tolled to 90 minutes.
Villarreal's coach, Marcelino Garcia, commented post-match on the importance of this victory, saying, "This win is not just about the points; it’s about regaining our confidence and proving we can compete at any level." His sentiments were shared by players and fans alike, who celebrated this much-anticipated turnaround.
While Villarreal looked to climb the league table and possibly contend for European competition spots, Leganes found themselves struggling to maintain their status above the relegation zone. Sitting 15th, they are only three points clear of the drop zone, raising concerns among their supporters.
Leganes' coach, Borja Jimenez's response to the defeat was candid. He noted, “We can’t afford to let our guard down again. We’ve had moments of brilliance like against Barcelona, but consistency is key, and tonight showed we have work to do.” His criticism was directed at multiple defensive lapses, particularly after being reduced to ten men.
Statistically, the match was intense. Villarreal managed 62% of possession and had 20 shots, 10 of which were on target, compared to Leganes' 8 total shots with only 3 on goal. This indicates Villarreal’s dominance both offensively and defensively, particularly after Leganes’ red card, which shifted the balance of the game considerably.
The victory helped Villarreal break their winless streak and marked the beginning of what they hope to be another successful stretch of games as they eye the European competition spots. This match has led analysts to rethink Villarreal’s position; they possess the talent capable of challenging beyond just mid-table safety.
Looking at Leganes, they have to regroup quickly. Their upcoming matches will be pivotal as they aim to bounce back and stay clear of the relegation zone. Jimenez will need to more effectively consolidate his team’s performance and address the inconsistency shown throughout the season.
Fans of both teams will eagerly await their respective next matches with hopes of improvement or continued form. Villarreal fans particularly will wish to see more performances like this to re-establish their club as one to be reckoned with this season.
