Villarreal executes a clinical heist at Cornellà with devastating intensity

Skip It Futmetrix Score: 28/100. The Submarine Yellow consolidates third place with a flawless away performance, while Espanyol's defensive frailties expose a team spiraling toward mediocrity.

Precision over possession at Cornellà

Villarreal arrived at Cornellà with a blueprint: suffocate, then strike. Despite surrendering 55% possession to Espanyol, the visitors turned scarcity into lethality. Gerard Moreno broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute, finishing a Santi Comesana assist with the clinical touch of a striker in rhythm. Espanyol's 14 shots told the real story—volume masking void. They dominated the ball yet created almost nothing of substance, managing just 3 shots on target against a Villarreal side that made every touch count.

The second half becomes an execution

The restart brought finality. Alberto Moleiro added the second in minute 57, transforming a contest into a masterclass. Espanyol's balance crumbled under pressure. Renato Veiga and Alfonso Pedraza orchestrated a defensive symphony, reducing the home side to frustration. The away backline's 7.5+ ratings reflected their stranglehold on proceedings.

Stakes and trajectory

This defeat deepens Espanyol's crisis. Sixth place (18 points, 5 wins from 12) masks a squad hemorrhaging consistency. Four losses in their last six matches signal a team adrift. Villarreal, by contrast, climbs stakes with ruthless efficiency: 26 points from 12 games, 8 wins, a goal difference of +14. They're title contenders operating at a different altitude.