Actualizado
The Villarreal curse continues in England . Their visit to Tottenham Hotspur for the Champions League group stage opener did not break a 20-year streak of failures as they left the British Isles without a win after their 10th consecutive match . The triumph went to Thomas Frank’s team, who capitalized on a monumental error by Luiz Júnior , allowing them to score just four minutes into the match — a scoreline that remained unchanged throughout. Villarreal’s improvement in the second half went unrewarded, as they failed to hit the target even once. [Match report and statistics (1-0)]
Villarreal’s return to the ( Champions League ) couldn’t have been more disappointing. Just four minutes in, Luiz Júnior made a blunder that set the tone for the Contest. The goalkeeper mishandled a seemingly innocuous cross from Bergvall , allowing the ball to slip between his fingers and into the net.
Following this, there was a timid sense of response from the Castellone team against a Spurs side that showed no hesitation in conceding ground. However, Marcelino ‘s men were uninspired in and around the box, with the attacking duo of Ayoze and Mikautadze appearing disconnected throughout the first half. Only Nicolas Pepe seemed capable of troubling the English defense. He created most of the first-half danger, including a shot from the edge of the box that deflected for a corner and a pass that left Buchanan practically alone; unfortunately, the Canadian striker missed the target entirely.
On Edge with VAR
As the match progressed, the Spurs began to take control, appearing to play with more urgency than Villarreal. With quick ball circulation and increased intensity, Bentancur and Sarr started to assert dominance in midfield, pushing Villarreal backward in search of a second goal. The Senegalese midfielder had his chance with a powerful shot from the edge of the area, which Luiz Júnior managed to save well, pushing it aside with a strong hand. Richarlison also came close, hitting the side netting after a deflection off Foyth .
The VAR system kept concerns alive for Villarreal with a couple of incidents in their penalty area requiring review — first, a fall from Richarlison in a tussle with Gueye over a loose ball, and then a possible handball from Gueye, both of which were deemed non-penalties by the video referee.
In the second half, Villarreal returned with a different approach, displaying increased intensity and pressing higher up the pitch after a first half characterized mainly by deep defensive blocks. Marcelino’s team began to troublingly approach the English area more frequently, benefitting partly from Pape Gueye’s interceptions of Spurs’ errant passes.
Mikautadze, contested by Van de Ven, on Tuesday at Tottenham Stadium.
After one of his interceptions, Gueye directed the ball to Pepe, whose shot went just wide of the post. A similar fate awaited a shot from outside the box after Van de Ven fouled Mikautadze , which could have resulted in a penalty and a red card but ultimately ended with just a yellow for Van de Ven. Simons also racked up a booking for a challenge deemed to stop a counterattack, yet it was Marcelino who received the admonishment for his vocal protests.
Villarreal’s substitutions could not alter the game’s outcome, as they paid dearly for their goalkeeper’s earlier mistake. Thus, the team entered the Champions League on the wrong foot, deeply expressing the need for improvement if they hope to overcome their historical challenges in English territory.