Match report
Villarreal Defeats Elche 3-1 in La Liga Clash
Elche
1–3
FT
Villarreal
Jan 3, 2026
Villarreal secured a hard-fought victory against Elche with a final score of 3-1. The match was dominated by Villarreal from the onset, scoring two quick goals in the early minutes through A. Moleiro and G. Mikautadze. Despite Elche's efforts to level the game with a goal from M. Neto midway through the first half, Villarreal maintained their composure and added another late goal through A. Pedraza to secure three crucial points.
Key Facts
- • Villarreal scored at 7' (A. Moleiro), 13' (G. Mikautadze)
- • Elche responded with a goal at 30' (M. Neto)
- • Final score: Elche 1-3 Villarreal
- • S. Cardona and G. Moreno were key substitutes for Villarreal in the second half
Lineups
Elche
Formation: 3-5-2
Starting XI
- 13 I. Pena (G)
- 23 V. Chust (D)
- 22 D. Affengruber (D)
- 6 P. Bigas (D)
- 15 A. Nunez (M)
- 16 M. Neto (M)
- 8 M. Aguado (M)
- 14 A. Febas (M)
- 11 G. Valera (M)
- 20 A. Rodriguez (F)
- 10 R. Mir (F)
Substitutes
- 1 M. Dituro
- 3 A. Pedrosa
- 4 B. Diaby
- 7 Y. Santiago
- 17 Josan
- 18 J. Donald
- 19 G. Diangana
- 21 L. Petrot
- 29 Piri
- 30 R. Mendoza
- 32 A. Boayar
- 45 A. Iturbe
Villarreal
Formation: 4-4-2
Starting XI
- 1 Luiz Junior (G)
- 15 S. Mourino (D)
- 26 P. Navarro (D)
- 4 R. Marin (D)
- 24 A. Pedraza (D)
- 19 N. Pepe (M)
- 14 S. Comesana (M)
- 10 D. Parejo (M)
- 20 A. Moleiro (M)
- 22 A. Perez (F)
- 9 G. Mikautadze (F)
Substitutes
- 25 A. Tenas
- 7 G. Moreno
- 8 J. Foyth
- 21 T. Oluwaseyi
- 23 S. Cardona
- 32 H. Lopez
- 37 C. Macia
- 38 A. Diatta
- 40 J. Gaitan
Timeline
-
7' Villarreal Goal · Normal GoalA. Moleiro · Assist: G. Mikautadze -
13' Villarreal Goal · Normal GoalG. Mikautadze · Assist: N. Pepe -
30' Elche Goal · Normal GoalM. Neto · Assist: Aleix Febas -
39' Villarreal Card · Yellow CardA. PerezFoul
-
50' Elche Card · Yellow CardG. ValeraFoul
-
61' Elche subst · Substitution 1Off: David Affengruber · On: B. Diaby -
66' Villarreal Card · Yellow CardSanti ComesañaArgument
-
67' Villarreal subst · Substitution 1Off: A. Perez · On: G. Moreno -
68' Villarreal subst · Substitution 2Off: N. Pepe · On: S. Cardona -
71' Elche subst · Substitution 2Off: M. Aguado · On: G. Diangana -
76' Villarreal subst · Substitution 3Off: G. Mikautadze · On: T. Oluwaseyi -
76' Villarreal subst · Substitution 4Off: D. Parejo · On: C. Macia -
79' Elche subst · Substitution 3Off: Alvaro Nunez · On: Josan -
79' Elche subst · Substitution 4Off: M. Neto · On: Rodrigo Mendoza -
79' Elche subst · Substitution 5Off: R. Mir · On: A. Boayar -
80' Villarreal subst · Substitution 5Off: Santiago Mouriño · On: Juan Foyth -
83' Villarreal Goal · Normal GoalA. Pedraza · Assist: S. Cardona -
88' Villarreal Card · Yellow CardS. CardonaTime wasting
Match Stats
| Stat | Elche | Villarreal |
|---|---|---|
| Fouls | 8 | 11 |
| Pass Accuracy | 91% | 75% |
| Offsides | 1 | 2 |
| Red Cards | — | — |
| Total Shots | 15 | 12 |
| Corners | 6 | 2 |
| Total Passes | 775 | 220 |
| Yellow Cards | 3 | 3 |
| Blocked Shots | 6 | 2 |
| Shots on Target | 2 | 4 |
| xG | 1.31 | 1.52 |
| Shots off Target | 7 | 6 |
| Possession | 78% | 22% |
| Goals Prevented | 0 | 0 |
| Accurate Passes | 707 | 164 |
| Shots Inside Box | 11 | 10 |
| Saves | 1 | 1 |
| Shots Outside Box | 4 | 2 |
Key Match Notes
- ▸ Villarreal's early dominance, scoring twice within the first 13 minutes, set a strong tone for their victory.
- ▸ The late goal by A. Pedraza at 83' confirmed Villarreal's superiority and sealed the match.