Villarreal executes with precision: Gueye and Eyong sentence ten-man Oviedo

Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 54/100. Alberto Reina's 27th-minute dismissal transformed a competitive contest into a yellow onslaught, where the stakes of three opening-day points were sealed with clinical authority.

Early chaos at the Estadio de la Cerámica

Intensity ignited from the first whistle. Oviedo arrived with defensive intent, but Villarreal wasted no time imposing dominance. In the 27th minute, Alberto Reina saw red for a tactical foul, and with it, the narrative shifted entirely. What was at stake—three vital points for an Oviedo side needing relegation-battle survival—became a battle of attrition for the visitors.

Gueye takes command of the midfield

With numerical advantage, Pape Gueye emerged as Villarreal's orchestrator. His 36th-minute strike, assisted by Nicolás Pepe, cemented the yellow stranglehold. Gueye didn't merely score; his physical deployment and passing precision (6 key passes) allowed him to conduct the siege. Villarreal's intensity translated into a barrage of 25 shots against Oviedo's meager 5—a ratio that screamed superiority.

Escandell keeps hope alive

Aarón Escandell was the wall between Oviedo and humiliation. With 8 crucial saves, the Oviedo goalkeeper prevented a far heavier scoreline. His performance was the sole bright spot in an afternoon where the stakes of every intervention multiplied. Villarreal completed 30 total shots (14 on target), exercising an asphyxiating siege that Oviedo barely contained after dropping to ten men.

Balance shattered, momentum seized

The balance was an illusion. Villarreal launches their campaign with victory, sitting third after Matchday 1. For Oviedo, an opening defeat in the relegation zone is a psychological hammer blow demanding immediate response. With 68% possession and 92% pass accuracy, the hosts proved that technical quality and winning mentality can shatter any resistance—even without needing a rout.