Villarreal CF showed exceptional mental strength to earn a 2-2 draw at the Metropolitano Stadium on Saturday, in a thrilling LaLiga EA Sports encounter. The Yellow Submarine came from behind twice against Atlético Madrid, levelling the scores in the 89th minute with a goal from Dani Parejo that sparked wild celebrations in the away end.
The match started with the hosts on the front foot and controlling the early exchanges. Atlético took the lead in the 9th minute from the penalty spot. A foul by Kiko Femenía on Samuel Lino inside the box resulted in a penalty, which Antoine Griezmann converted coolly over goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen. Villarreal kept their composure and hunted for an equaliser through combination play, creating several chances before the break, notably a shot from Alexander Sørloth that went just wide.
Spirited fightback
The response came in the second half. With the team better positioned on the pitch and after high pressing, the equaliser arrived in the 56th minute. A powerful strike from Yerson Mosquera from outside the area, following a corner clearance, found the net to level the scores. However, the Colchoneros hit back quickly, regaining the lead just seven minutes later, in the 63rd minute. In a swift counter-attack started by Rodrigo De Paul, the ball reached Ángel Correa, who finished with a left-footed shot inside the post that seemed to seal the points.
Villarreal refused to give up. In the closing minutes, they increased the intensity and possession in the opposition's half, launching balls into the box with Sørloth as the target. The sustained pressure paid off when, in the 89th minute, in a team move started by Ilias Akhomach, the ball found Dani Parejo inside the box and his low, driven finish beat goalkeeper Jan Oblak. The equalising goal sparked wild celebrations in the away end and confirmed the final score.
Manager Marcelino García Toral praised the point gained. "The team showed huge personality not to collapse in such a difficult ground," the coach said after the final whistle. "Getting anything positive from here is always a collective merit." Meanwhile, Atlético manager Diego Simeone acknowledged the rival's merit: "We struggled to close out the game. Villarreal is a great team and fought until the end."
The result leaves Villarreal with four points from the opening two matchdays, a solid start visible in the league standings. The team posted notable attacking numbers, with six shots on target from thirteen attempts, and 48% possession at a highly demanding venue. The next fixture is at home against Real Betis, a match already listed on our upcoming fixtures page.
