LaLiga, Spain’s top soccer league, kicked off in style as Villarreal spoiled Real Oviedo’s big party. Oviedo were celebrating their 100th birthday and their first season in the Spanish top flight for 25 years, but Villarreal showed no mercy. The “Yellow Submarine,” as are known, scored twice and kept a clean sheet to win 2-0 at their Estadio de la Cerámica.

For Villarreal, this was the perfect way to start the new season. They already had momentum after finishing last year with six straight league wins, and now they added a seventh. For Real Oviedo, the result was a harsh reminder of how tough LaLiga can be compared to the lower divisions.

Early Pressure from Villarreal

From the very beginning showed why they’re one of the stronger mid-table sides in LaLiga. In the first 11 minutes, they created chance after chance.

• Santi Comesaña almost scored but lifted his shot too high.

• Pape Gueye tried his luck next, but his effort was deflected wide.

• Then new signing Nicolas Pépé (formerly of Arsenal) and captain Gerard Moreno both tested Oviedo’s goalkeeper Aarón Escandell, who made good saves to keep the game scoreless.

Soccer Fact: ⚽ Did you know goalkeepers in LaLiga usually make 3 to 4 saves per game on average? Escandell made more than that in just the first half!

Oviedo, who were promoted after a brilliant run in the Segunda División playoffs, looked nervous and shaky. They struggled to keep up with Villarreal’s fast passing and movement. Still, they were gifted a golden opportunity.

The Big Oviedo Chance

In the 20th minute, Villarreal almost handed Oviedo a surprise lead. Defender Juan Foyth misjudged a header back to his goalkeeper, and Junior Reis fouled Oviedo’s forward Ilyas Chaira in the box.

Penalty!

This was Oviedo’s chance to shock everyone. Venezuelan striker Salomón Rondón, a veteran who has played in England, stepped up. But Villarreal goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen guessed correctly and dived to save the penalty! The home fans erupted in relief.

Soccer Fact: 🚨 Penalties are usually scored about 75% of the time in professional soccer. Rondón joined the unlucky 25% who miss.

Missing that penalty felt like a turning point. Instead of gaining confidence, Oviedo fell apart soon after.

Disaster Strikes for Oviedo

In just a couple of minutes, everything went wrong for Real Oviedo.

First, midfielder Alberto Reina picked up his second yellow card for a reckless tackle and was sent off. That meant Oviedo had to play the rest of the match with 10 players instead of 11. Playing shorthanded is almost always a nightmare in soccer, especially against a strong team.

Soccer Fact: 🟥 Teams playing with 10 men lose about 70% of matches in LaLiga history.

Second, Villarreal made Oviedo pay almost immediately. From a corner, defender Nacho Vidal tried to clear the ball, but instead of clearing it far, he accidentally flicked it into the path of Etta Eyong. Eyong, making his first-ever LaLiga start, rose highest and powered a header into the net.

1-0 Villarreal.

And if that wasn’t enough, Villarreal struck again just seven minutes later. Nicolas Pépé raced down the right wing, cut the ball back across the box, and Pape Gueye finished it off with a precise first-time strike.

2-0 Villarreal.

At that point, the game looked over. Oviedo had gone from possibly being 1-0 up to being 2-0 down and a man short. That’s how quickly soccer can change.

Second Half: Villarreal in Control

The second half started with some bad news for Villarreal. Their star forward, Gerard Moreno, limped off injured just two minutes after the restart. Moreno is a Spanish international striker and one of Villarreal’s most important players. Losing him could be a worry for the games ahead.

Still, Villarreal controlled possession and kept things calm. Oviedo tried to fight back with long shots. Ilyas Chaira forced Jörgensen into a save, but nothing really troubled Villarreal too much.

Villarreal looked more likely to score a third goal. Canadian winger Tajon Buchanan almost converted another cross from Pépé but missed the target. Later, Gueye blasted a shot high and wide when he could have doubled his tally. Pépé, who was very active all game, tested Escandell again with a powerful strike, but the keeper pushed it away.

Special Moments: Applause for Legends

Even though the match was basically decided, there were some moments that brought smiles to Villarreal fans.

• Nicolas Pépé was substituted late in the game and received warm applause. The fans appreciated his energy and creativity.

• Santi Cazorla, the legendary Spanish midfielder, made his return to Villarreal and LaLiga. Cazorla is beloved not just in Spain but worldwide for his skill and positive personality. The crowd gave him a standing ovation.

In the closing minutes, Villarreal thought they had scored a third when Yeremy Pino found the net. But the referee disallowed it for handball. No problem, didn’t need it—they already had the game wrapped up.

Final Whistle: Villarreal March On

The game ended 2-0 to Villarreal. For the Yellow Submarine, it was another professional win, their seventh straight LaLiga victory if you count the end of last season. They showed their strength and depth, even with Moreno going off injured.

For Real Oviedo, the lesson was clear: LaLiga is a different world compared to the Segunda División. They had lost only one of their previous 14 competitive matches before this, but exposed their weaknesses.

Soccer Fact: 🏟 LaLiga is considered one of the top three leagues in the world (along with the Premier League and Serie A). Many newly promoted teams find it hard to survive their first season.

What This Means Going Forward

• Villarreal: Starting with a win puts them in a good position. They’ll be aiming to fight for European spots again this season. If Gerard Moreno’s injury isn’t serious, they have a strong squad with players like Pépé, Gueye, and Pino ready to contribute.

• Real Oviedo: They will need to regroup quickly. Losing Reina to suspension and Rondón’s penalty miss were costly, but the season is long. For a club celebrating its 100th birthday, survival in LaLiga would be the perfect gift.

Final Thoughts

This match showed the difference between a team that has experience at the top level and one that is just starting out. Villarreal were efficient, patient, and clinical when they needed to be. Real Oviedo had heart but not enough quality to match them, especially after going down to 10 men.

In soccer, small moments—like a missed penalty or a red card—can decide the whole game. Villarreal proved that they are a step above for now, while Oviedo learned just how tough life in LaLiga will be.