La Liga Regular Season - 23
Villarreal 4 - 1 FT Espanyol
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
J. Salinas 6'
O. El Hilali 12'
16' T. Buchanan
35' G. Mikautadze (T. Buchanan)
41' J. Salinas
HT
↓ F. Calero ↑C. Riedel 48'
50' N. Pepe (A. Moleiro)
Exposito 53'
55' A. Moleiro (G. Mikautadze)
C. Riedel 57'
↓ T. Dolan ↑C. Ngonge 59'
↓ R. Fernandez Jaen ↑K. Garcia 59'
↓ Exposito ↑C. Pickel 59'
64' ↓ T. Buchanan ↑A. Perez
65' ↓ D. Parejo ↑S. Comesana
70' P. Gueye
↓ P. Milla ↑A. Roca 72'
73' ↓ G. Mikautadze ↑T. Oluwaseyi
73' ↓ S. Mourino ↑A. Freeman
80' ↓ A. Moleiro ↑H. Lopez
L. Cabrera (C. Ngonge) 88'
89' S. Cardona
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Villarreal
Goalkeepers
Luiz Júnior 
PROVOCATEUR
1
Fouls Won
1
Fouls Won
1
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Defenders
Santiago Mouriño 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
73
Total Mins
73
Entry
Pau Navarro 
MAGNET
84
Activity
84
Activity
72
Passes
12
Duels
Renato Veiga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
91
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Sergi Cardona 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Midfielders
Tajon Buchanan 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.3
Rating
Pape Gueye
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
91
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dani Parejo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
65
Total Mins
65
Entry
Alberto Moleiro 
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Forwards
Nicolas Pépé
SNIPER
100%
Conversion
100%
Conversion
1
Goals
1
Shots
Georges Mikautadze
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
BENCH
Arnau Tenas 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Alexander Freeman
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rafa Marín
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Santi Comesaña
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
26
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ayoze Pérez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
27
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tani Oluwaseyi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
18
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Hugo Lopez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Espanyol
Goalkeepers
Marko Dmitrović 
SIEVE
0%
Save %
0%
Save %
4
Conceded
0
Saves
Defenders
Omar El Hilali
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
91
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Fernando Calero
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
48
Entry
Leandro Cabrera 
CLUTCH HERO
88
Goal Time
88
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.2
Rating
Jose Salinas 
FRIENDLY FIRE
Own Goal
Mistake
Own Goal
Mistake
2
Fouls
4.9
Rating
Midfielders
Urko González
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
91
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pol Lozano
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
91
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pere Milla 
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
20%
Pass Acc
Edu Expósito
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
59
Total Mins
59
Entry
Tyrhys Dolan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
59
Total Mins
59
Entry
Forwards
Roberto Fernández
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
3
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
Pol Tristan Jimenez
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Angel Fortuno
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Clemens Riedel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
46
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Miguel Rubio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rubén Sánchez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Charles Pickel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kike García
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
32
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Cyril Ngonge 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
32
Minutes
7.3
Rating
Antoniu Roca
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
19
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jofre Carreras
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 08/11/2025 | Espanyol | 0 - 2 | Villarreal | La Liga | RCDE Stadium |
| 27/04/2025 | Villarreal | 1 - 0 | Espanyol | La Liga | Estadio de la Cerámica |
| 26/09/2024 | Espanyol | 1 - 2 | Villarreal | La Liga | RCDE Stadium |
| 27/04/2023 | Villarreal | 4 - 2 | Espanyol | La Liga | Estadio de la Cerámica |
| 09/11/2022 | Espanyol | 0 - 1 | Villarreal | La Liga | RCDE Stadium |
| 27/02/2022 | Villarreal | 5 - 1 | Espanyol | La Liga | Estadio de la Cerámica |
08/11/2025
27/04/2025
26/09/2024
27/04/2023
09/11/2022
27/02/2022
Villarreal Win
Espanyol Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 23 GD: +40
P: 23 GD: +31
P: 23 GD: +20
P: 22 GD: +19
P: 23 GD: +9
P: 23 GD: -4
P: 23 GD: +5
P: 23 GD: +2
P: 23 GD: 0
P: 23 GD: -8
P: 23 GD: -9
P: 23 GD: -15
P: 23 GD: -8
P: 23 GD: -9
P: 23 GD: -4
P: 23 GD: -9
P: 23 GD: -14
P: 22 GD: -12
P: 22 GD: -12
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
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Surgical Efficiency at the Ceramica
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 68/100. A clinical finishing masterclass at Estadio de la Ceramica saw Villarreal distance themselves from their European rivals with a crushing performance that underlined their Champions League credentials.
VAR Drama and the Yellow Breakthrough
The atmosphere at Estadio de la Ceramica crackled with anticipation for this high-stakes clash between two top-six contenders. Early on, Espanyol thought they had snatched the lead in the 12th minute through O. El Hilali, only for a VAR review to silence the travelling fans. Despite the visitors controlling possession (51%), they struggled to turn that control into genuine threat. An Intensity rating of 12.0 reflected the relentless pressing from Villarreal, who eventually found their opening. In the 35th minute, G. Mikautadze turned the tide, latching onto a T. Buchanan cross to fire the hosts ahead and shatter the early tactical stalemate.
The Twenty-Minute Blitz
What followed was a total collapse of the visitors' defensive Balance, which registered a mere 2.3 score. The Yellow Submarine doubled their advantage shortly before the interval as J. Salinas inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, a moment that seemed to drain the belief from the Catalan side. The second half began with even greater ferocity from the hosts. N. Pepe, whose 9.0 match rating tells the story of his dominance, clinicaly added a third in the 50th minute after being set up by A. Moleiro. Just five minutes later, the roles reversed; G. Mikautadze turned provider for Moleiro to make it 4-0, completing a devastating four-goal flurry in just twenty minutes of play.
Consolation and Table Implications
With the result beyond doubt, the final half-hour became a game of management for the hosts. The Stakes were high, and Villarreal showed veteran composure to see the match out. Espanyol did manage to find a late silver lining when substitute C. Ngonge provided the spark for L. Cabrera to head home a consolation goal in the 88th minute. However, there was no chance of an Upset Factor manifesting so late in the day. The 4-1 victory moves Villarreal to 48 points, firmly clutching fourth place and opening a daunting eleven-point gap over the visitors, who remain sixth but must now look over their shoulder after a disappointing defensive display.
Key Questions
What made Nicolas Pépé the Man of the Match?
Pépé earned a 9.0 rating by scoring a crucial goal and providing constant offensive pressure that the Espanyol defense couldn't contain.
What caused the 5-goal thriller?
A combination of Villarreal's lethal 20-minute scoring spree, an unfortunate own goal, and a late consolation header by Cabrera.
What does this mean for Villarreal's season?
It cements their 4th place position, creating a massive 11-point cushion over Espanyol in the race for Champions League qualification.
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.
Champions League Ambitions Meet a Top-Six Crossroads
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 74/100. This European showdown serves as a definitive moment for Villarreal to distance themselves from a faltering Espanyol in the race for the top four.
The Setup
The lights at the Estadio de la Ceramica on February 09, 2026, will illuminate a classic Stakes-heavy encounter. Villarreal enters the fray in 4th position, holding an eight-point cushion over their visitors. While the home side has regained momentum with back-to-back wins, Espanyol travels south in a state of freefall. The Catalans are currently 6th, but a dismal run of results (LLLDL) has seen their grip on a European spot begin to slip. For the visitors, this isn't just a game; it is a fight to save their season's primary objective.
Key Battle
The tactical narrative centers on Villarreal's fluid offensive Balance against the visitors' increasingly porous low block. Without individual defensive standouts identified for the away side, the burden falls on their collective backline to track the movement of Villarreal's high-functioning attacking unit. The home midfield, marshalled by P. Gueye and Yeremy Pino, will look to dominate possession and exploit the spaces between the lines that have plagued the visitors during their recent winless streak.
Our Prediction
Villarreal’s superior Stars and home advantage make them formidable favorites. Expect G. Mikautadze to stretch the defense early, creating gaps for deep-lying runners. Given the visitors' recent defensive fragility and Villarreal's scoring rate of 1.8 goals per match, a 3-1 victory for the Yellow Submarine seems the most logical outcome as they consolidate their Form.