On Friday evening, Villarreal showcased an impressive team display, overpowering Real Sociedad 3-1 in their latest La Liga encounter. Despite Luka Sucic finding the net for the visitors early in the second half (1’ 2T), it was not enough to counter Villarreal’s relentless scoring.
Gerard Moreno opened the scoring just 7 minutes into the first half with a well-placed header. Following soon after, Georges Mikautadze doubled the lead with a powerful strike in the 14th minute, before Nicolas Pépé sealed the first-half performance by scoring the third at the 22nd minute.
Pépé’s contribution lifted the spirits of Villarreal, receiving considerable applause for his efforts. Mikautadze set up this goal with a deft cross, allowing Pépé to unleash a fierce shot from within the box.
Villarreal dominated the first half, and Pépé almost increased the lead further when he hit the woodwork in the 43rd minute. Meanwhile, Real Sociedad struggled to convert their 64% ball possession into significant scoring opportunities.
Georges Mikautadze emerged as the standout player, scoring 1 goal and making 6 attempts on goal, while also completing 3 successful passes. Gerard Moreno was equally impressive, contributing 1 goal, 4 shots on target, and 11 completed passes.
Villarreal’s coach, Marcelino García Toral, fielded a 4-4-2 formation with Luiz Júnior in goal; a defense composed of Álvaro Mouriño, Pau Navarro, Renato Veiga, and Alfonso Pedraza; while Nicolas Pépé, Santi Comesaña, Pape Gueye, and Alberto Moleiro made up the midfield; and Gerard Moreno partnered with Georges Mikautadze in the attack.
For their part, Real Sociedad, led by Pellegrino Matarazzo, went with a 4-4-2 setup featuring Alex Remiro in goal; Jon Aramburu, Jon Martín, Igor Zubeldía, and Sergio Gómez in defense; a midfield consisting of Ander Barrenetxea, Jon Gorrotxategi, Carlos Soler, and Gonçalo Guedes; and Mikel Oyarzábal and Brais Méndez up front.
The match was officiated by referee Miguel Ortiz Arias at the Estadio de la Cerámica.
Looking ahead, Villarreal will face Girona away next, while Real Sociedad will return home to play against Levante.
With this result, Villarreal now holds 58 points, sitting comfortably in third place, while Real Sociedad remains in seventh with 38 points.
Substitutions for Villarreal
73’ 2T – Gerard Moreno for Tajon Buchanan and Alberto Moleiro for Alfon González
88’ 2T – Santi Comesaña for Thomas Partey, Pape Gueye for Dani Parejo, and Georges Mikautadze for Tani Oluwaseyi
Substitutions for Real Sociedad
45’ 2T – Jon Gorrotxategi for Luka Sucic
52’ 2T – Igor Zubeldía for Duje Caleta-Car
67’ 2T – Brais Méndez for Orri Óskarsson and Jon Aramburu for Aritz Elustondo
81’ 2T – Mikel Oyarzábal for Arsen Zakharyan
Yellow Cards for Real Sociedad:
37’ 1T Jon Aramburu (Fouling to prevent an opponent’s advance)
32’ 2T Gonçalo Guedes (Fouling to prevent an opponent’s advance)
39’ 2T Pellegrino Matarazzo (Insulting or disapproving the referee)