First Division - Day 38

Valencia 1 - Villarreal 3

Valencia: Jaume Domenech; Montoya (Munir 70’), Aderlan Santos, Mangala, Gayà; Dani Parejo, Carlos Soler; Cancelo, Rodrigo (Santi Mina 80’), Nani (Bakkali 85’); Zaza. 4-2-3-1.
Villarreal: Andrés; Mario, Bonera, Alvaro, Jaume Costa; Jonathan Dos Santos, Trigueros, Bruno, Roberto Soriano (Sansone 74’); Bakambu (Rodri 87’), Soldado (Adrián López 68‘). 4-4-2.

Goals:
0-1. 01. Soldado. Latched on to loose ball in area and fired shot past Jaume.
1-1. 54. Nani. Steered header wide of Andrés after Rodrigo crossed from left.
1-2. 58. Trigueros. Got on the end of Jonathan centre to slide shot past keeper.
1-3. 88. Sansone. Picked up Adrián López pass and struck shot across Jaume.

Yellow cards: Jaume Costa 04’, Zaza 34’, Bakambu 67’, Dani Parejo 71’.

Villarreal made sure of fifth place after a 1-3 victory at regional neighbours Valencia on Sunday evening, Fran Escribá’s team thereby taking the most coveted of the Europa League spots which gives direct access to the league stage of the competition. Soldado fired home the opener against his old club with only a minute on the clock, but the Ches came back after that, Andrés having to save from Dani Parejo and Gayà before the interval. Bakambu hit the post though after the restart, and although Nani headed the equalizer from Rodrigo’s cross, Trigueros restored the lead after getting on the end of a Jonathan Dos Santos centre soon afterwards. Zaza caused a few problems for Andrés later on, but with the game coming to an end Sansone wrapped things up after Adrián López put him through.