La Liga side Villarreal extended their unbeaten run in the league season to seven games on Thursday evening as they emerged 4-3 winners in a pulsating game in their opening UEFA Europa League Conference League fixture against Poland Club side Lech Poznan.
The Yellow Submarines have had a fantastic start to the 2022/2023 La Liga season and most recently defeated Elche 4-0 at the weekend.
In a steamy Ciutat de Valencia, the temporary home of the hosts due to refurbishments on the Estadio de la Cerámica, Poznań struck first from a catastrophic defending from their host; Nigerian forward Samuel Chukwueze scored the equalizer with a stunning effort.
Álex Baena’s effort from outside the area took a cruel deflection before rippling the net, and Baena grabbed his second of the half with a clever turn and finish.
The visitors pegged Villarreal’s inexperienced side immediately after the break. Defender Aïssa Mandi was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box, and Mikael Ishak converted from the spot.
The Swede then scored his second of the night two minutes after the hour mark to give the Poznań outfit that has not advanced beyond the group stage of a European competition since 2010/11 a respectable scoreline.
Villarreal will travel to Real Betis in the La Liga at the weekend before they face Israel side Hapoel Beer Sheva next week in the Europa Conference League.
Meanwhile, a goal in each half by Willian Jose was enough for Real Betis to secure a 2-0 victory away from home in Finland against HJK.
Willian Jose scored from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time before sealing the victory in the 63rd minute with his second of the game.
Brais Mendez sealed a 1-0 UEFA Europa League victory for Real Sociedad against Manchester United. The Spanish player scored from the penalty spot at the hour mark in the second half of the game at Old Trafford.
Daniel Ademiju Idowu
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