Liverpool had a 2-0 lead to go on from the first Champions League semi-final against Villarreal. On Tuesday night, it was time for the return meeting, this time at El Madrigal in Spain.
In front of the home crowd, Villarreal got off to a dream start. Only three minutes had passed from the match when Etienne Capoue first came on a post and served Boulaye Dia in front of goal, who easily hit 1-0 and his first hit in the Champions League context.
A shock start for Liverpool.
– Only the first three minutes, Villarreal have shown a completely different intensity compared to what was shown during 90 minutes at Anfield, said C More’s expert Hasse Backe in the broadcast.
– A little fingertip feeling by Unai Emery (Villarreal’s head coach) as well. Dia, the surprise in Villarreal’s starting eleven, with his first Champions League goal, filled in commentator Adam Pinthorp.
Villarreal continued to press and created several dangerous chances, among others penalty situation where Alisson fouled Giovani Lo Celso. But no penalty there, instead they extended the lead shortly afterwards.
41 minutes stood on the clock when Capoue hit a post to Francis Coquelin who nodded in 2-0 – and thus equalized the overall score in the semifinal meeting to 2-2.
– A perfect finish by Coquelin. Again, it is the full-backs (in Liverpool) who do not have their best day. Both (Andy) Robertson and (Trent) Alexander-Arnold are unable to stop the posts, said Hasse Backe.
The 2-0 result stood out the half. After the break, Liverpool came out as the better team and early on, Trent Alexander-Arnold had a shot that was controlled in the crossbar.
The game advantage continued and in the end the dividend came. With just over half an hour left, Fabinho entered the penalty area and fired a shot from a narrow angle that looked in behind Geronimo Rulli in the Villarreal goal to 2-1.
– You can think of Rulli’s actions in the goal, the ball goes between his legs. But it is a different match picture (in the second half), it is only to be stated, said Hasse Backe in Telia and C More’s broadcast.
Just minutes later, Liverpool equalized to 2-2. Trent Alexander-Arnold hit a post from the right that replaced Luis Diaz nodded in, a goal that meant Liverpool took the lead with 4-2 overall.
– Diaz has taken the bench in the right way and really added something (since he was replaced during the break). He has been a proper injection into Liverpool’s attacking play. Extremely difficult to stop, said Hasse Backe.
In the 75th minute, Liverpool completed the turnaround. Sadio Mané ran free in deep, poked the ball past Rulli – who misplaced his equipment, and rolled in 2-3 in the open goal.
“Villarreal will be fatally punished by Liverpool, who show their efficiency,” said Backe.
According to statistics service OptaJoe, Liverpool have now scored 139 goals in 57 matches in the 2021/22 season. It is the Merseyside Club’s highest listing ever.
Liverpool eventually won 3-2 and defeated Villarreal 5-2 over two matches, which means they are ready for the Champions League final for the tenth time in the club’s history. Once there, either Real Madrid or Manchester City await.
The final will be played on May 28 at the Stade de France in France.
Startelvor:
Villarreal: Rulli – Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Estupinan – Lo Celso, Parejo, Capoue, Coquelin – Dia, Moreno.
Liverpool: Alisson – Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson – Keita, Fabinho, Thiago – Salah, Mané, Jota.
139 – @LFC have scored 139 goals in 57 games in all competitions in 2021-22, their highest ever total in a single season in their club history. Unstoppable. #VILLIV
– OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 3, 2022
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