La Liga Regular Season - 29
Villarreal 3 - 1 FT Real Sociedad
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
7' G. Moreno (S. Comesana)
15' G. Mikautadze
23' N. Pepe (G. Mikautadze)
J. Aramburu 38'
HT
↓ J. Gorrotxategi ↑L. Sucic 46'
L. Sucic 47'
↓ I. Zubeldia ↑D. Caleta-Car 54'
↓ B. Mendez ↑O. Oskarsson 68'
↓ J. Aramburu ↑A. Elustondo 68'
74' ↓ G. Moreno ↑T. Buchanan
74' ↓ A. Moleiro ↑A. Gonzalez
G. Guedes 78'
↓ M. Oyarzabal ↑A. Zakharyan 82'
P. Matarazzo 85'
89' ↓ S. Comesana ↑T. Partey
89' ↓ P. Gueye ↑D. Parejo
89' ↓ G. Mikautadze ↑T. Oluwaseyi
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 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Pau Navarro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Renato Veiga
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alfonso Pedraza 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
20%
Pass Acc
Midfielders
Nicolas Pépé
ARCHITECT
4
Key Passes
4
Key Passes
0
Assists
26%
Pass Acc
Santi Comesaña
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
41%
Pass Acc
Pape Gueye
STORMTROOPER
3
Shots
3
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Alberto Moleiro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
74
Total Mins
74
Entry
Forwards
Gerard Moreno 
FINISHER
1
Goals
1
Goals
4
Shots
7.2
Rating
Georges Mikautadze
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
1
Assists
14%
Pass Acc
BENCH
Arnau Tenas 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Sergi Cardona
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rafa Marín
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Willy Kambwala
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
Thomas Partey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
5
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Dani Parejo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
5
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tajon Buchanan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alfon González
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
20
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Tani Oluwaseyi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
5
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Real Sociedad
Goalkeepers
Álex Remiro
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Jon Aramburu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
68
Total Mins
68
Entry
Jon Martin 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
4
Tackles
83%
Duel Win %
Igor Zubeldia
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
54
Total Mins
54
Entry
Sergio Gómez
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Ander Barrenetxea
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
46%
Pass Acc
Jon Gorrotxategi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
45
Total Mins
46
Entry
Carlos Soler 
MAGNET
78
Activity
78
Activity
72
Passes
6
Duels
Gonçalo Guedes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
94
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
Brais Méndez
MAGNET
58
Activity
58
Activity
53
Passes
5
Duels
Mikel Oyarzabal
LATE SHIFT
8
Late Mins
8
Late Mins
82
Total Mins
82
Entry
BENCH
Unai Marrero
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Duje Ćaleta-Car
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
40
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aritz Elustondo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
26
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aihen Muñoz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Luka Sučić 
SUPER SUB
1
Goal
1
Goal
49
Minutes
7.9
Rating
Tomy Carbonell
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ibai Aguirre
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pablo Marín
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Arsen Zakharyan
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
12
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Orri Steinn Óskarsson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
26
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Wesley
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jon Karrikaburu
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30/11/2025 | Real Sociedad | 2 - 3 | Villarreal | La Liga | Reale Arena |
| 20/04/2025 | Villarreal | 2 - 2 | Real Sociedad | La Liga | Estadio de la Cerámica |
| 13/01/2025 | Real Sociedad | 1 - 0 | Villarreal | La Liga | Reale Arena |
| 23/02/2024 | Real Sociedad | 1 - 3 | Villarreal | La Liga | Reale Arena |
| 09/12/2023 | Villarreal | 0 - 3 | Real Sociedad | La Liga | Estadio de la Cerámica |
| 02/04/2023 | Villarreal | 2 - 0 | Real Sociedad | La Liga | Estadio de la Cerámica |
| 09/10/2022 | Real Sociedad | 1 - 0 | Villarreal | La Liga | Reale Arena |
| 15/05/2022 | Villarreal | 1 - 2 | Real Sociedad | La Liga | Estadio de la Cerámica |
| 18/12/2021 | Real Sociedad | 1 - 3 | Villarreal | La Liga | Reale Arena |
| 30/01/2021 | Villarreal | 1 - 1 | Real Sociedad | La Liga | Estadio de la Cerámica |
30/11/2025
20/04/2025
13/01/2025
23/02/2024
09/12/2023
02/04/2023
09/10/2022
15/05/2022
18/12/2021
30/01/2021
Villarreal Win
Real Sociedad Win
Draw
League Standings
P: 28 GD: +49
P: 28 GD: +36
P: 29 GD: +20
P: 28 GD: +22
P: 28 GD: +8
P: 28 GD: +7
P: 29 GD: -1
P: 28 GD: -7
P: 28 GD: -7
P: 28 GD: -10
P: 28 GD: -2
P: 28 GD: -12
P: 28 GD: -6
P: 28 GD: -12
P: 28 GD: -10
P: 28 GD: -12
P: 28 GD: -12
P: 28 GD: -9
P: 28 GD: -16
League Standings
P: 28 GD: +49
P: 28 GD: +36
P: 28 GD: +22
P: 28 GD: +18
P: 28 GD: +8
P: 28 GD: +7
P: 28 GD: +1
P: 28 GD: -7
P: 28 GD: -7
P: 28 GD: -10
P: 28 GD: -2
P: 28 GD: -12
P: 28 GD: -6
P: 28 GD: -12
P: 28 GD: -10
P: 28 GD: -12
P: 28 GD: -12
P: 28 GD: -9
P: 28 GD: -16
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
A 23-Minute Masterclass at La Cerámica
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 58/100. A devastating first-half blitz proved that clinical finishing trumps raw possession in the race for European football.
The Early Onslaught
Estadio de la Ceramica witnessed an absolute hurricane right from the kickoff. Villarreal set the Intensity dials to maximum, blowing past Real Sociedad before the visitors even had time to settle into their passing rhythm. G. Moreno ignited the fireworks with a clinical strike just seven minutes in, immediately putting the Basque side on the back foot. The attacking pressure never relented. By the 15th minute, G. Mikautadze doubled the advantage, exposing gaping holes in a normally resolute defence. When N. Pepe fired home a third at the 23-minute mark, the match effectively became an exercise in damage limitation. A remarkable 3.51 xG for the hosts tells the story of a team operating at the absolute peak of their attacking powers.
The Super Sub's Response
Finding Balance after a three-goal deficit is nearly impossible, but the visitors eventually carved out a foothold. Real Sociedad dominated possession with an imposing 64 percent of the ball, meticulously threading 669 total passes across the pitch. Their breakthrough arrived right after the interval when L. Sucic made an instant impact off the bench, netting a 47th-minute lifeline. The Croatian midfielder injected genuine belief into the away ranks, forcing the Yellow Submarine into a more defensive posture. At the other end, Álex Remiro put on a heroic shot-stopping display, tallying seven crucial saves to prevent the scoreline from becoming genuinely embarrassing. Despite their territorial control, the visitors lacked the cutting edge required to complete the comeback.
Cementing European Ambitions
When the final whistle blew, the Stakes of this encounter were clear for all to see. This 3-1 triumph firmly cements the hosts in the coveted Champions League qualification zone, reinforcing their grip on fourth place. The contrast in tactical approaches defined the evening—Villarreal ruthlessly punished errors in transition, proving that you do not need the ball to command the game. Their defensive block absorbed late pressure with relative ease, neutralising any lingering threat of an Upset Factor. For the Basque visitors, it is a bitter pill to swallow; all that fluid passing resulted in zero points, leaving them stranded in mid-table obscurity. If the hosts maintain this lethal efficiency, famous European nights await.
Key Questions
What does this mean for Villarreal's season?
This vital win solidifies their grip on fourth place, keeping them firmly on track for Champions League qualification with a comfortable cushion and ten games remaining.
How did substitute Nicolas Pépé change the game?
Though starting rather than substituting, Pépé's electrifying performance—capped by a crucial 23rd-minute goal—completely shattered the visitors' defensive structure during the opening onslaught.
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.
A Defining Moment in the Top Four Race
Highly Entertaining Futmetrix Score: 76/100. Villarreal's grip on the final Champions League spot is tight, but Real Sociedad possess the attacking firepower to blow this race wide open.
The Setup
Estadio de la Ceramica is bracing for a monumental La Liga clash on March 20, 2026. Villarreal are flying high in fourth place, looking to solidify their European dreams and keep the chasing pack at bay. They have won three of their last five league outings, proving their mettle when the pressure mounts. With a healthy goal difference of plus eighteen, the hosts know exactly how to punish teams. Real Sociedad sit down in eighth, trailing by nineteen points, but their recent form suggests they are more than capable of spoiling the party as they chase their own European qualification. A robust Form rating indicates we are in for an attacking spectacle, backed by an impressive combined average of 3.4 goals per game this season. The Stakes dimension might seem modest purely based on the points gap, but do not be fooled by the math. For the home side, dropping points here could prove fatal to their top-four aspirations.
Key Battle
The midfield engine room will dictate the tempo and aggression of the match. Pape Gueye has been brilliant for the hosts recently, pulling the strings and contributing vital numbers—specifically two goals and an assist in his last five outings. His primary task will be shutting down the creative spaces that Mikel Oyarzabal loves to operate in. With a high Stars rating driving the narrative, Oyarzabal’s clinical finishing could severely punish any defensive lapses from the home side.
Our Prediction
An exceptional Balance rating points to a fiercely contested, end-to-end encounter. We expect Villarreal to start fast, utilizing the roar of their home crowd to overwhelm the visitors early on. Real Sociedad will inevitably bite back on the counter-attack, but the hosts' superior consistency and sheer desperation for Champions League football should see them edge a thrilling match. Villarreal to take this 2-1.