
The League
8:00 p.mFebruary 22, 2026
Regular season – 25
Ceramic Stadium
Referee: Jesús Gil Manzano, Spain


Villarreal


Valencia
Turn off the spoiler to see match stats
1.87
Expected Goals (xG)
1.55
Passing by
286 (79%)
Accurate passes
417 (86%)
Turn off the spoiler to see the events of the match
1
G
Luiz Junior
7.0
23
d
Sergio Cardona
6.6
12
d
Renato Vega
6.5
6
d
Pau Navarro
6.9
d
Santiago Mourinho
20
M
Alberto Moleiro
6.7
M
Papa Gueye
45+6′
M
Santi Comesaña (C)
31′
19
M
Nicolas Pepe
6.3
F
George Mikautadze
22
F
Ayoze Perez
6.6

The League Standings – First Division
Qualification/Relegation
- Promotion – Champions League (League phase)
- Promotion – Europa League (League phase)
- Promotion – Conference League (ranking)
- Relegation – LaLiga2
Villarreal achieved a spectacular 2-1 victory over regional rivals Valencia at the Estadio de la Ceràmica. Pape Gueye’s crucial penalty in first half stoppage time was decisive.
In this League clash, Villarreal, ranked third, received a Valencian team struggling in 16th position. Villarreal aimed to consolidate its strong position in the League. Valencia fought to move away from the relegation zone.
The game started with both teams fighting for control of the midfield. Tensions flared early when Villarreal’s G. Mikautadze was shown a yellow card in the 23rd minute.
Valencia then took the lead from the penalty spot just four minutes later. Largie Ramazani coolly converted in the 27th minute, silencing the home crowd.
Villarreal responded quickly, refusing to let Valencia settle. Santi Comesaña equalized the score in the 31st minute, guiding home the tie.
The half hour saw a flurry of bookings. Ramazani received a yellow card for carelessness, followed by S. Mourinho and J. Guerra for fouls.
In the midst of this chaos, Villarreal won another penalty. Pape Gueye stepped up and drilled home in the 45+6th minute, sending the Yellow Submarine into the break with a 2-1 lead.
The dramatic end of the first half left Valencia with the need to regroup. Villarreal, however, brought an important boost to the dressing room.
The second half started with Villarreal focused on protecting their advantage. Valencia pushed forward, looking for an equaliser, but found Villarreal’s defense resolute.
Substitutions began after full time as the coaches looked for new impetus. Pape Gueye, the match winner, was replaced by Thomas Partey in the 58th minute. The Valencian U. Núñez received a yellow card in the 65th minute.
Despite several tactical changes from both sides, neither team managed to find the back of the net again. Villarreal absorbed pressure; Valencia struggled to break through.
Villarreal proved efficient, converting their chances with an expected goal (xG) of 1.87 on 12 total shots. Valencia, despite 57% possession and an xG of 1.55, managed just three shots on goal from eight attempts.
This hard-fought victory strengthens Villarreal’s control in third place in the League. For Valencia, the defeat keeps them rooted in the bottom half of the table.

