La Liga Regular Season - 27
Villarreal 2 - 1 FT Elche
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
31' T. Buchanan (P. Gueye)
41' S. Mourino (S. Comesana)
43' A. Moleiro
HT
↓ G. Diangana ↑M. Neto 59'
65' ↓ T. Buchanan ↑A. Gonzalez
65' ↓ A. Moleiro ↑G. Moreno
↓ Buba Sangare ↑Josan 68'
↓ A. Febas ↑G. Villar 68'
↓ M. Aguado ↑F. Redondo Solari 68'
M. Neto 74'
75' ↓ S. Comesana ↑D. Parejo
75' ↓ P. Gueye ↑T. Partey
76' ↓ P. Navarro ↑R. Veiga
↓ R. Mir ↑Andre Silva 77'
Andre Silva (M. Neto) 83'
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Villarreal
Goalkeepers
Luiz Júnior 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Santiago Mouriño 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Pau Navarro
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
75
Total Mins
76
Entry
Rafa Marín 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Sergi Cardona 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
53%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Tajon Buchanan
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Santi Comesaña 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
7
Rating
Pape Gueye
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
2
Key Passes
7.3
Rating
Alberto Moleiro 
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
20%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Nicolas Pépé 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Georges Mikautadze
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Arnau Tenas 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Alfonso Pedraza
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alexander Freeman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dani Parejo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Thomas Partey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Renato Veiga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alfon González
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gerard Moreno
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
29
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tani Oluwaseyi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Elche
Goalkeepers
Matías Dituro 
MAGNET
64
Activity
64
Activity
62
Passes
2
Duels
Defenders
Víctor Chust
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
David Affengruber
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
83%
Duel Win %
Léo Pétrot
MAGNET
87
Activity
87
Activity
79
Passes
8
Duels
Midfielders
Buba Sangare
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
68
Total Mins
68
Entry
Grady Diangana
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
59
Total Mins
59
Entry
Marc Aguado
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
68
Total Mins
68
Entry
Aleix Febas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
68
Total Mins
68
Entry
Germán Valera
MAGNET
69
Activity
69
Activity
63
Passes
6
Duels
Forwards
Álvaro Rodriguez
STORMTROOPER
5
Shots
5
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Rafa Mir
LATE SHIFT
13
Late Mins
13
Late Mins
77
Total Mins
77
Entry
BENCH
Alejandro Iturbe
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Iñaki Peña
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Pedro Bigas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Adrià Pedrosa
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Martim Neto 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
35
Minutes
7.6
Rating
Federico Redondo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
26
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Gonzalo Villar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
26
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Josan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
26
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lucas Cepeda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tete Morente
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Adam Boayar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
André Silva 
CLOSER
1
Late Goals
1
Late Goals
0
Late Assists
75
Minute
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 03/01/2026 | Elche | 1 - 3 | Villarreal | La Liga | Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero |
| 04/02/2023 | Elche | 3 - 1 | Villarreal | La Liga | Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero |
| 04/09/2022 | Villarreal | 4 - 0 | Elche | La Liga | Estadio Ciudad de Valencia |
| 16/01/2022 | Elche | 1 - 0 | Villarreal | La Liga | Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero |
| 22/09/2021 | Villarreal | 4 - 1 | Elche | La Liga | Estadio de la Cerámica |
| 06/02/2021 | Elche | 2 - 2 | Villarreal | La Liga | Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero |
| 06/12/2020 | Villarreal | 0 - 0 | Elche | La Liga | Estadio de la Cerámica |
| 10/05/2015 | Villarreal | 1 - 0 | Elche | La Liga | Estadio de la Cerámica |
| 03/01/2015 | Elche | 2 - 2 | Villarreal | La Liga | Estadio Manuel Martínez Valero (Elche) |
| 30/03/2014 | Villarreal | 1 - 1 | Elche | La Liga | Camp El Madrigal (Villarreal) |
03/01/2026
04/02/2023
04/09/2022
16/01/2022
22/09/2021
06/02/2021
06/12/2020
10/05/2015
03/01/2015
30/03/2014
Villarreal Win
Elche Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 27 GD: +46
P: 27 GD: +33
P: 27 GD: +21
P: 27 GD: +18
P: 27 GD: +8
P: 27 GD: +7
P: 26 GD: -6
P: 27 GD: -1
P: 27 GD: -6
P: 27 GD: -7
P: 27 GD: 0
P: 27 GD: -11
P: 27 GD: -6
P: 27 GD: -7
P: 27 GD: -15
P: 27 GD: -12
P: 27 GD: -6
P: 27 GD: -13
P: 27 GD: -16
League Standings
P: 27 GD: +46
P: 27 GD: +33
P: 27 GD: +21
P: 27 GD: +18
P: 27 GD: +8
P: 27 GD: +7
P: 26 GD: -6
P: 27 GD: -1
P: 27 GD: -6
P: 27 GD: -7
P: 27 GD: 0
P: 27 GD: -6
P: 27 GD: -7
P: 27 GD: -15
P: 26 GD: -12
P: 26 GD: -11
P: 27 GD: -6
P: 27 GD: -13
P: 27 GD: -16
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Clinical Villarreal Weather the Elche Storm
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 50/100. A masterclass in efficiency sees Villarreal tighten their grip on the top four despite Elche's surprising territorial dominance at Estadio de la Ceramica.
The Tactical Ambush
The match opened with a script few expected. Elche, fighting for their lives at the bottom of the table, dominated possession with a staggering 63% share. However, high Intensity from the hosts' counter-pressing meant that control rarely translated into clear chances. Against the run of play, Villarreal struck with ruthless precision. In the 31st minute, P. Gueye carved open the defense, allowing Tajon Buchanan to slot home the opener. It was a classic example of quality over quantity, as the home side needed very little of the ball to cause maximum damage to their visitors' fragile confidence.
Efficiency over Possession
While the visitors played the more expansive football, the Balance of the match favored the clinical nature of the Yellow Submarine. Just before the interval, the Stakes of the Champions League race became evident as the hosts doubled their lead. Santi Comesaña turned provider for Santiago Mouriño in the 41st minute, effectively punishing the visitors for their defensive lapses. The 2-0 scoreline felt harsh given the visitors' effort, but the top-flight gap in finishing was undeniable. The home side’s ability to convert their limited entries into the penalty area proved to be the defining factor of a first half where they were largely second-best in general play.
The Final Stand
The second half tested the resolve of the home crowd as the Upset Factor began to loom. The visitors refused to go quietly, and the introduction of fresh legs eventually paid dividends. Late in the match, M. Neto set up Andre Silva for an 83rd-minute goal that ignited a frantic finale. A barrage of 29 total shots across the match turned the pitch into a shooting gallery, but Luiz Júnior stood tall. His 6 crucial saves ensured that the lead remained intact. This victory keeps the hosts firmly in the fourth spot, while the visitors are left to rue missed opportunities in a performance that deserved more than a narrow defeat.
Key Questions
How did substitute Luiz Júnior change the game?
Although Luiz Júnior actually started the match, his impact was massive. His 6 crucial saves denied Elche a late comeback and secured the three points.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Top-Four Pursuit at Estadio de la Ceramica
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 49/100. Our take is that Villarreal will likely overpower an Elche side that lacks the offensive teeth to survive a night in Castellón.
The Setup
On March 8, 2026, Villarreal enters this fixture firmly entrenched in 4th place. Their Form has been reliable, turning their home ground into a fortress for most of the campaign. Conversely, Elche finds itself in 17th, dangling dangerously close to the drop. While the Stakes are high for Elche's survival, the gulf in quality is evident. The home side boasts a high Stars rating, fueled by an attacking unit that has already bagged 48 goals this season.
Key Battle
The night’s definitive clash features Georges Mikautadze testing the reflexes of Matías Dituro. Mikautadze has been clinical lately, providing the spark that Villarreal needs to break down low blocks. Dituro, despite Elche’s league position, remains one of the division’s most consistent shot-stoppers. If Elche is to leave with anything, it will require a masterclass from their goalkeeper to deny the Georgian international.
Our Verdict
Our verdict is a comfortable home win. Villarreal’s midfield Balance, anchored by P. Gueye and energized by Yeremy Pino, should dominate possession and territory. Elche will likely sit deep and hope for a point, but their recent run of results suggests they lack the defensive stamina to hold out for 90 minutes. Expect a relentless Yellow Submarine to break the deadlock before the hour mark and cruise to a 2-0 victory.