Late VAR Decision Gives Villarreal Dramatic Victory Over Mallorca
Villarreal, Spain — Villarreal thrilled the home crowd at Estadio de la Cerámica on Saturday with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Mallorca, as substitute Tani Oluwaseyi's late winner required VAR confirmation to seal all three points for the Yellow Submarine.
The hosts wasted no time establishing their intentions, taking the lead in just the sixth minute. Gerard Moreno finished from very close range, slotting home to the center of the goal after being expertly set up by Ayoze Pérez. The early goal energized the home supporters, who sensed their team might be in for a commanding performance.
However, Mallorca showcased their resilience with an immediate response. Just two minutes after falling behind, Samú Costa leveled the score in the eighth minute with a well-placed left-footed shot from the left side of the box that found the bottom right corner. Pablo Torre provided the assist, helping Mallorca silence the home crowd and reset the match.
The contest evolved into a tense battle as both teams searched for the decisive goal. The intensity was reflected in the disciplinary record, with Lucas Bergström receiving a yellow card in the 67th minute, followed by Johan Mojica in the 75th. Villarreal manager made a critical substitution in the 63rd minute, bringing on Tani Oluwaseyi for Ayoze Pérez, a change that would ultimately prove decisive.
The breakthrough finally came in the 83rd minute when Oluwaseyi rewarded his manager's faith. The substitute fired a left-footed shot from very close range into the bottom right corner. Initially uncertain, the goal was awarded following a VAR review, sending the Villarreal faithful into jubilant celebration as their team reclaimed the lead.
The final minutes saw Mallorca desperately pushing for another equalizer, resulting in further cautions as Luiz Júnior (89th minute) and Tajon Buchanan (seventh minute of stoppage time) entered the referee's book. Despite Mallorca's determined efforts, Villarreal's defense held firm to secure a valuable victory that delighted the home supporters.
The win continues Villarreal's impressive form at Estadio de la Cerámica, where they've built a reputation for thrilling performances that showcase both resilience and quality. For Mallorca, despite the disappointment of the late defeat, they can take encouragement from their quick response to falling behind and their competitive display throughout the match.