Match report

Villarreal Defeats Espanyol 2-0 in La Liga Showdown

Espanyol
Espanyol
0–2
FT
Villarreal
Villarreal
Nov 8, 2025

Villarreal displayed a strong performance, defeating Espanyol 2-0 with goals from G. Moreno and A. Moleiro. Despite multiple substitutions, Espanyol could not find the equalizer in their La Liga clash at Estadi Cornellà-El Prat.

Key Facts

  • • Villarreal's G. Moreno scored first at 43 minutes with an assist from Santi Comesaña.
  • • A. Moleiro extended Villarreal's lead in the 57th minute, securing a crucial victory.
  • • Espanyol made four substitutions including Pablo Lozano for Kiko García and Omar El Hilali for Rubén Sánchez.
  • • Villarreal also saw multiple player changes after taking the lead.

Lineups

Espanyol

Formation: 4-4-1-1

Starting XI

  • 13 M. Dmitrovic (G)
  • 23 O. El Hilali (D)
  • 5 F. Calero (D)
  • 6 L. Cabrera (D)
  • 12 J. Salinas (D)
  • 24 T. Dolan (M)
  • 4 U. Gonzalez (M)
  • 10 P. Lozano (M)
  • 11 P. Milla (M)
  • 8 Exposito (F)
  • 9 R. Fernandez Jaen (F)

Substitutes

  • 1 A. Fortuno
  • 30 P. Tristan
  • 2 R. Sanchez
  • 15 M. Rubio
  • 16 L. Koleosho
  • 17 Jofre
  • 18 C. Pickel
  • 19 K. Garcia
  • 20 A. Roca
  • 27 J. Hernandez
  • 38 C. Riedel

Villarreal

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 Luiz Junior (G)
  • 26 P. Navarro (D)
  • 4 R. Marin (D)
  • 12 R. Veiga (D)
  • 24 A. Pedraza (D)
  • 17 T. Buchanan (M)
  • 14 S. Comesana (M)
  • 16 T. Partey (M)
  • 20 A. Moleiro (M)
  • 7 G. Moreno (F)
  • 21 T. Oluwaseyi (F)

Substitutes

  • 13 D. Conde
  • 25 A. Tenas
  • 3 A. Altimira
  • 8 J. Foyth
  • 10 D. Parejo
  • 11 I. Akhomach
  • 15 S. Mourino
  • 18 P. Gueye
  • 19 N. Pepe
  • 22 A. Perez
  • 23 S. Cardona
  • 32 H. Lopez

Timeline

  1. Villarreal
    43' Villarreal Goal · Normal Goal
    G. Moreno · Assist: Santi Comesaña
  2. Villarreal
    57' Villarreal Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Moleiro
  3. Espanyol
    60' Espanyol subst · Substitution 1
    Off: P. Lozano · On: K. Garcia
  4. Villarreal
    61' Villarreal Card · Yellow Card
    T. Buchanan

    Foul

  5. Espanyol
    71' Espanyol subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Exposito · On: Jofre
  6. Espanyol
    71' Espanyol subst · Substitution 3
    Off: P. Milla · On: C. Pickel
  7. Villarreal
    71' Villarreal subst · Substitution 1
    Off: G. Moreno · On: N. Pepe
  8. Villarreal
    74' Villarreal subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Santi Comesaña · On: P. Gueye
  9. Villarreal
    74' Villarreal subst · Substitution 3
    Off: T. Oluwaseyi · On: A. Perez
  10. Villarreal
    81' Villarreal Card · Yellow Card
    P. Navarro

    Foul

  11. Espanyol
    82' Espanyol subst · Substitution 4
    Off: Omar El Hilali · On: Rubén Sánchez
  12. Espanyol
    82' Espanyol subst · Substitution 5
    Off: U. Gonzalez · On: M. Rubio
  13. Villarreal
    83' Villarreal subst · Substitution 4
    Off: T. Buchanan · On: I. Akhomach
  14. Villarreal
    83' Villarreal subst · Substitution 5
    Off: A. Moleiro · On: S. Cardona

Match Stats

Stat Espanyol Villarreal
Fouls 9 9
Pass Accuracy 89% 87%
Offsides 2 3
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 14 9
Corners 4 2
Total Passes 563 483
Yellow Cards 0 2
Blocked Shots 7 3
Shots on Target 3 3
xG 0.50 1.61
Shots off Target 4 3
Possession 55% 45%
Goals Prevented 0 0
Accurate Passes 499 418
Shots Inside Box 8 7
Saves 2 3
Shots Outside Box 6 2

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ G. Moreno's goal in the 43rd minute gave Villarreal a crucial early lead, setting the tone for their victory.
  • ▸ A. Moleiro's second goal at the 57th minute effectively ended any hopes of an Espanyol comeback, solidifying Villarreal's control over the match.