The match was a closely contested game, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. In the first half, Villarreal had a chance to take the lead when Juan Foyth met a cross into the box, but the referee initially awarded a penalty, only to reverse the call after consulting the VAR monitor.

Villarreal continued to press for the opening goal, but Espanyol's defense held strong. The second half saw Villarreal remain the more dominant team, with some static defending from Espanyol allowing Santi Comesana to find Nicolas Pepe, who then passed the ball to Yeremy Pino inside the box. Pino calmly side-footed the ball past the Espanyol goalkeeper, scoring his third goal of the season and breaking the deadlock in the 52nd minute.

The goal marked Pino's first scoring appearance against Espanyol since February 2022. Despite Espanyol's efforts to equalize, Villarreal held on to their lead, with Espanyol ultimately ending their five-game unbeaten run.

Villarreal's win puts their Champions League fate back in their own hands, with five LaLiga rounds remaining. The team's performance was a testament to their resilience and determination.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Nicolas Pepe (Villarreal)