Osasuna 2 - Villarreal 1

Osasuna: Ricardo; Javier Flaño, Cuéllar, Josetxo, Corrales; David López, Puñal (Marcelo Sosa 64'), Raúl García, Delporte (Moha 91'); Milosevic, Romeo (Valdo 75'). 4-4-2.
Villarreal: Barbosa; Kromkamp, Quique Alvarez, Gonzalo Rodríguez, Arruabarrena (Cazorla 75'); Riquelme, Marcos Senna, Josico (Tacchinardi 72'), Sorín; Diego Forlán, Figueroa (Guayre 60'). 4-4-2.

Goals:
1-0. 27. Romeo. Header past Barbosa after Milosevic headed back cross.
1-1. 55. Forlán. Ran on to Riquelme through ball and slid shot past keeper.
2-1. 61. Romeo. Diving header low down from Delporte's long cross.

Villarreal paid the price for their midweek efforts in the Champions League against Everton, losing their opening game 2-1 to Osasuna. Pellegrini's side started strongly though, with keeper Ricardo showing why the Pamplona based club spent money to bring him in this summer, the ex Manchester United keeper saving well from Forlán on a couple of occasions and from Figueroa with less than a quarter of an hour gone. The locals gradually fought back though, and they took the lead when Milosevic headed a David López cross back for Romeo to steer the ball wide of a hesitant Barbosa.

After that Osasuna dominated the rest of the first half, but the visitors bounced back after the break and equalised when Forlán ran on to Riquelme's pass to roll a shot wide of Ricardo. Just six minutes later though the visitors lost the ball in midfield, and Delporte whipped in a cross which Romeo dived forward to meet and head wide of the keeper. This time there was no way back, and even though Riquelme gave the local fans a late fright with a free kick just over the bar, Osasuna held on to take the three points.