Match report

Villarreal Defeats Espanyol 4-1 in La Liga Thriller

Villarreal
Villarreal
4–1
FT
Espanyol
Espanyol
Feb 9, 2026

In an electrifying match at La Liga, Villarreal emerged victorious against Espanyol with a convincing 4-1 scoreline. The home team took control early on through goals from G. Mikautadze and an own goal by J. Salinas, followed by further strikes from N. Pepe and A. Moleiro. Despite L. Cabrera’s late consolation for Espanyol, Villarreal maintained their composure to secure the win.

Key Facts

  • • Final score: Villarreal 4-1 Espanyol
  • • Goals by G. Mikautadze (35'), J. Salinas (OG, 41'), N. Pepe (50'), A. Moleiro (55')
  • • Espanyol's only goal scored by L. Cabrera (88')
  • • Yellow cards: T. Buchanan, P. Gueye for Villarreal; J. Salinas, Exposito, C. Riedel for Espanyol

Lineups

Villarreal

Formation: 4-4-2

Starting XI

  • 1 Luiz Junior (G)
  • 15 S. Mourino (D)
  • 6 P. Navarro (D)
  • 12 R. Veiga (D)
  • 23 S. Cardona (D)
  • 17 T. Buchanan (M)
  • 18 P. Gueye (M)
  • 10 D. Parejo (M)
  • 20 A. Moleiro (M)
  • 19 N. Pepe (F)
  • 9 G. Mikautadze (F)

Substitutes

  • 25 A. Tenas
  • 7 G. Moreno
  • 14 S. Comesana
  • 22 A. Perez
  • 4 R. Marin
  • 3 A. Freeman
  • 21 T. Oluwaseyi
  • 32 H. Lopez

Espanyol

Formation: 4-2-3-1

Starting XI

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

Substitutes

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

Timeline

  1. Espanyol
    6' Espanyol Card · Yellow Card
    J. Salinas

    Foul

  2. Villarreal
    16' Villarreal Card · Yellow Card
    T. Buchanan

    Foul

  3. Villarreal
    35' Villarreal Goal · Normal Goal
    G. Mikautadze · Assist: T. Buchanan
  4. Villarreal
    41' Villarreal Goal · Own Goal
    J. Salinas
  5. Espanyol
    46' Espanyol subst · Substitution 1
    Off: Fernando Calero · On: C. Riedel
  6. Villarreal
    50' Villarreal Goal · Normal Goal
    N. Pepe · Assist: A. Moleiro
  7. Espanyol
    53' Espanyol Card · Yellow Card
    Exposito

    Foul

  8. Villarreal
    55' Villarreal Goal · Normal Goal
    A. Moleiro · Assist: G. Mikautadze
  9. Espanyol
    57' Espanyol Card · Yellow Card
    C. Riedel

    Foul

  10. Espanyol
    59' Espanyol subst · Substitution 2
    Off: Exposito · On: C. Pickel
  11. Espanyol
    59' Espanyol subst · Substitution 3
    Off: T. Dolan · On: Cyril Ngonge
  12. Espanyol
    59' Espanyol subst · Substitution 4
    Off: R. Fernandez Jaen · On: K. Garcia
  13. Villarreal
    64' Villarreal subst · Substitution 1
    Off: T. Buchanan · On: A. Perez
  14. Villarreal
    65' Villarreal subst · Substitution 2
    Off: D. Parejo · On: Santi Comesaña
  15. Villarreal
    70' Villarreal Card · Yellow Card
    P. Gueye

    Foul

  16. Espanyol
    72' Espanyol subst · Substitution 5
    Off: P. Milla · On: A. Roca
  17. Villarreal
    73' Villarreal subst · Substitution 3
    Off: Santiago Mouriño · On: A. Freeman
  18. Villarreal
    73' Villarreal subst · Substitution 4
    Off: G. Mikautadze · On: T. Oluwaseyi
  19. Villarreal
    80' Villarreal subst · Substitution 5
    Off: A. Moleiro · On: H. Lopez
  20. Espanyol
    88' Espanyol Goal · Normal Goal
    L. Cabrera · Assist: Cyril Ngonge
  21. Villarreal
    89' Villarreal Card · Yellow Card
    S. Cardona

    Foul

Match Stats

Stat Villarreal Espanyol
Fouls 18 11
Pass Accuracy 88% 86%
Offsides 1 0
Red Cards — —
Total Shots 10 9
Corners 5 8
Total Passes 428 438
Yellow Cards 3 3
Blocked Shots 3 2
Shots on Target 3 2
xG 0.76 0.43
Shots off Target 4 5
Possession 49% 51%
Goals Prevented -2 -2
Accurate Passes 378 375
Shots Inside Box 7 4
Saves 1 0
Shots Outside Box 3 5

Key Match Notes

  • ▸ Villarreal took the lead with two quick goals in the first half from G. Mikautadze and an own goal by J. Salinas, setting a solid foundation for their win.
  • ▸ Despite conceding an own goal, Espanyol's performance was marred by early yellow cards that hindered their defensive stability, leading to further setbacks with more goals.