Marseille survive Villarreal fightback to go through
Olympique Marseille qualified for the quarterfinal of the Europa League despite suffering a 3-1 defeat away to Villarreal on Thursday evening as the Spanish side went close to a historic European fightback.
Villarreal went into the game looking to overturn a 4-0 defeat from the first leg and with even the most fervent of their fans expecting to see them overturn what looked like a decisive deficit.
However, Villarreal looked to get back into the tie from the very start with an aggressive display that saw them pin Marseilles in their own half, with 12 shots in the first half, to zero from the French side.
Only one of those shots ended up in goal, as Etienne Capoue scored a powerful header in the 32nd minute.
Capoue saw another effort deflected wide before the break, and Alexander Sorloth, who was impressive all game, netted a second goal in the 54th minute after a pass from Goncalo Guedes, which was given after a long VAR check.
Villarreal were pinning Marseilles back in their own half, and goalkeeper Pau Lopez made a double save to deny Gerard Moreno's header and Guedes' follow-up effort.
Yerson Mosquera almost brought the house down when he scored Villarreal's third with seven minutes left to play. Marcelino Garcia's side were inches away from an equalizing goal in the closing minutes as Jose Luis Morales forced another good save from Pau.
With Villarreal camped around the Marseille area, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang launched a counterattack that saw him weave past two defenders and leave Jonathan Clauss with a tap-in to assure their side's place in the quarterfinals.
Related articles
Antique beauty of architecture of the Ma Family Courtyard on Huimin street
Beijing, April 2 (Youth.cn)- Photo taken on March 31th in Xi’an. The architecture of the Ma Family C2024-05-08Norway's Arctic north wants to bring in a 26
Norway's Arctic north has presented a bizarre plan to bring in a 26-hour day which would see clocks2024-05-08From the fabulous 'Elvis Dress' to the velvet gown she wore dancing with Travolta
WHEN the first dress that Jacques Azagury designed for Princess Diana broke records late last year a2024-05-08'Catherine is thrilled by the kind wishes and support': Camilla thanks well
The Princess of Wales is 'thrilled' by all the support she has received since announcing she is unde2024-05-08School bullies will lose chances for better education
An undated photo shows a public procurator educates primary school students on the harmfulness of bu2024-05-08Thomas Kingston dies aged 45: How the royal family will form a tight circle of support around much
Lady Gabriella Windsor has already felt the immediate support of the wider Royal Family following th2024-05-08
atest comment