Villarreal pulled off an exciting comeback on Tuesday evening, grabbing a last-gasp 2–2 draw towards Juventus at Estadio de la Cerámica. Renato Veiga’s Ninetieth-minute header his first-ever purpose within the competitors saved the Yellow Submarine from defeat and stretched their unbeaten residence run in Europe to 9 matches.
Softfootball predicted a 1-1 draw within the pre-match preview, and it was the type of evening that had all the pieces: tempo, drama, and some nervy moments that had followers on edge until the very finish.
Villarreal began the sport on fireplace, enjoying with vitality and confidence. In simply the 18th minute, Nicolas Pépé slipped a pointy move throughout purpose, and Georges Mikautadze, who’s been in positive contact recently, calmly tucked it into the underside nook. That strike marked his first purpose within the Champions League, one he’ll certainly bear in mind.
The house followers barely had time to take a seat earlier than Alfonso Pedraza virtually made it two, cracking a fierce shot that Perin tipped onto the submit. Villarreal had been flying, however Juventus slowly discovered their rhythm, with Weston McKennie making an attempt to check Arnau Tenas from vary. On the different finish, Tajon Buchanan got here shut, however Perin’s reactions saved Juve alive.
The second half flipped the sport on its head. From nowhere, Juventus equalised, McKennie’s lengthy throw was flicked on by Lloyd Kelly and in some way fell kindly for Federico Gatti, who acrobatically smashed residence a bicycle kick. Minutes later, substitute Francisco Conceição, fast as lightning, pounced on a misplaced move from Dani Parejo, slicing inside earlier than slotting previous Tenas.
Villarreal uploaded a video of the crew applauding the followers after the draw on the crew’s official X account, celebrating the purpose with the very those who cheered them on. Additionally they uploaded one other video on the crew’s X deal with of Pepe receiving his man of the match award.
Watch the video under:
It regarded all however over, particularly when Jonathan David hit the bar late on. However Villarreal weren’t performed. Deep into stoppage time, Ilias Akhomach whipped in a teasing nook, and Veiga rose highest, powering residence a header that despatched the Cerámica into wild celebration. Juventus will probably be disillusioned, as this was simply just like the 4-4 draw the crew performed out towards Dortmund within the first spherical of the UCL. In truth, Juventus have drawn the final 4 video games they’ve performed.
The draw leaves either side sitting on one level after Matchday 2, however Villarreal’s spirit, as soon as once more, shone by means of on an evening that felt extra like a win than a rescue.
