Villarreal welcomed Real Valladolid to the Camp El Madrigal on Saturday looking to make it six points from their first two games.
They were behind inside four minutes when Javi Guerra slotted past Sergio Asenjo from close range, but Giovani dos Santos levelled from the spot in the latter stages of the first period.
Villarreal dominated the second half, however, eventually winning it late on with a long-range strike from Cani.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Our final La Liga live commentary of the evening comes from the El Madrigal as Villarreal welcome Real Valladolid. As mentioned, Villarreal began their season with a pulsating 3-2 win over fellow newly-promoted side Almeria on Monday, but it proved to be a disappointing opening weekend for Valladolid, who were beaten 2-1 by Athletic Bilbao on their own patch.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Villarreal have enjoyed the best of it with three wins from the last five matches. They were 2-0 winners when the pair last clashed in April 2010, having already won 3-1 in November of the same season. Valladolid have enjoyed recent success in this stadium, however, with a 3-0 victory in November 2008.
Despite finishing in the top 10 in La Liga from 2004 to 2011, Villarreal dropped into Spain’s second tier last season after finishing 18th in the division. The Yellow Submarine returned at the first time of asking, however, with second place in the Segunda Division enough to book their spot in Spain’s top flight. They will surely be battling against the likes of Valladolid this term, who finished 14th last season.
TEAMS:
VILLARREAL: Asenjo; Musacchio, Dorado, Mario, Costa; Cani, Bruno, Aquino, Trigueros, Pereira; Giovani
VALLADOLID: Marino; Barmettler, Rueda, Rukavina, Valiente; Pena, Garcia, Bergdich, Rubio; Oscar, Guerra
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Villarreal XI this evening with Giovani dos Santos continuing in attack. Although Javier Aquino does come in for his first start of the season. Valladolid, meanwhile, continue with their forward pair of Oscar Gonzalez and Javi Guerra. Right, the home side get the action underway.
It must be said that there is a truly wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. There is something special about this stadium - it deserves to have La Liga football that is for certain. Explosive start from the home side as Pereira drives a low cross into the box, but Aquino can only turn wide of the post from close range.
Early opportunity for Valladolid to test Asenjo from outside the box as Mario fells Garcia. The resulting free kick is taken by the Colombian, but he slips before firing his effort into the stands. I think that one has landed in the car park. All three La Liga matches this evening have had sensational starts to proceedings.
GOAL! Villarreal 0-1 Valladolid (Guerra)
Indeed we do have an explosive start as Bergdich finds the run of Guerra, who turns inside the box before finishing into the bottom corner. Wonderful finish from the number nine. Now it is up to Villarreal to respond with the noise levels just dipping following that strike.
Not the prettiest of football from the away side as they continue to launch high balls into the box, but it is effective with Villarreal struggling to deal with the danger. The home side threaten moments later as Giovani leads a counter attack, but there are no takers on his low cross into the box.
Hardly time to take a breath inside the opening nine minutes with both sides committing numbers to each attack. I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals with some of the defending on show suspect to say the least. Just a reminder that Villarreal picked up three points against Almeria last Monday, but Valladolid were beaten by Bilbao.
Couple of half-chances for the home side as Aquino wins a flick-on before finding Pereira, but the Spaniard can only turn his effort wide from close range. In fairness to the home side, they have responded well to conceding that early goal, but you just get the feeling that Valladolid have the tools to hurt them on the counter.
Again Aquino is the danger for Villarreal as the number 17 beats two defenders outside the box before Valiente brings him to the ground. The resulting free kick is whipped into the box by Cani, but Marino comes a long way to claim under pressure from Mario. Pulsating opening 13 minutes to this La Liga encounter.
Valladolid continue to force the issue with a series of long balls into the box, with Mario and Dorado struggling to deal with the power of Guerra. However, I think this is what we expected from Villarreal this season. Sure, they are going to concede a fair few, but they also have the tools to hurt teams in the final third. It will be a case - at least against the smaller teams - of attempting to outscore them.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for the home side to level as it falls to Giovani inside the box, but the Mexican can only slice his effort wide of the target when he should have done better. He was their main threat against Almeria last weekend and I expect that to be the case this evening. Still 1-0 to Valladolid with 18 minutes on the clock.
Another half-chance for the away side as Oscar collects possession in midfield before sliding a pass towards Guerra, but Mario just manages to make the challenge. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Aquino threatens in a wide position, but his cross is straight into the arms of Marino.
Good pressure from the home side as they force a couple of corners in quick succession, but the first is headed behind his own crossbar by Rueda, before Cani fires the second wide of the target. Villarreal have been the better side for the last five or so minutes, but Valladolid remain a threat on the counter with the movement of Guerra and Oscar, who is playing in the number 10 role this evening.
Couple of half-chances for the home side as Pereira cuts inside Pena before striking an effort towards goal, but Barmettler is across to make the block. It falls to Giovani, who finds a yard of space in the box, but his effort moves wide of the post. Not too much in terms of attacking intent from Valladolid, but they still lead courtesy of that early strike from Guerra.
Again Cani is the provider for Villarreal as the midfielder finds a pocket of space on the edge of the box before finding Giovani, but Pena is across to make a fine challenge at the vital moment. Giovani continues to influence proceedings with another cross towards Pereira, but it goes out for a throw. Little under 20 minutes of the first period remaining.
It is the Pereira and Giovani show for Villarreal as the attacking duo continue to craft openings in the final third. The home side want a penalty moments later as Rueda appears to handle in the box, but the referee is not interested. In truth, it would have been very harsh. It is all one-way traffic with 30 minutes on the clock.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with Valladolid starting to see more of the ball in the final third. Oscar is at the heart of the attack as he shakes off Cani before finding Garcia, but his cross is into the arms of Asenjo, who starts a counter attack with Bruno, but it doesn't last long with Rukavina on hand to clear.
CHANCE! Golden opportunity for Villarreal to level the scores as Pereira leads a three-on-two situation before cutting into the box, but his effort is blocked by Pena, who has been magnificent thus far. Valladolid enjoy a period of possession moments later, but they are struggling to create opportunities as the first period draws to a close.
Half-chance for the home side as Trigueros takes a free kick from a wide area, but he fires his effort straight into the arms of Marino. It must be said that the atmosphere is still sensational inside the stadium with the home supporters backing their side. All that is missing from Villarreal's performance is a goal.
The opportunities continue to arrive for the home side as Trigueros creates some space outside the box before attempting to curl an effort into the top corner, but Marino is on hand to make the save. Valladolid just cannot fashion any chances of their own, however, with Guerra cutting an isolated figure in the final third.
PENALTY TO VILLARREAL!
GOAL! Villarreal 1-1 Valladolid (Giovani)
Villarreal level in the final minutes of the first period as Giovani strokes his penalty into the bottom corner. It was a bit of soft award, however, with Garcia appearing to play the ball in a challenge with Costa, only for the referee to point to the spot.
There is no question that Villarreal deserved to level the terms with their constant pressure since falling behind. As mentioned, they are bound to concede goals this season, but it is difficult to imagine them not finding the back of the net with the talent and pace they have in the final third. Little over three minutes of the half remaining.
Good response from the away side in the latter stages of the first period with Oscar starting to see more of the ball in the final third. Their first corner of the match brings a penalty shout as Barmettler suggests that he was tugged to the ground inside the box, but the referee is simply not interested.
Half-chance for Giovani to score his second on the counter as the Mexican evades two challenges before driving into the box, but he loses control at the vital moment, allowing Marino out to collect. We are into the one additional minute at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Villarreal 1-1 Valladolid
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 1-1. Valladolid had the lead inside four minutes when Guerra collected a pass from Bergdich before finishing into the bottom corner, but a penalty from Giovani levelled the scores seven minutes before the interval.
BENCH WATCH: The home side have a number of attacking options on the bench in the shape of Perbet, Uche, Perez and Juan Carlos. Meanwhile, Valladolid have the likes of Baraja, Manucho, Rama and Lluis Sastre in reserve. I suspect that we will see changes as the second period gathers pace.
Let me take this moment to remind you that we have three more back-to-back live commentaries from La Liga tomorrow, with the action beginning from 5.30pm. Be sure to join us for that and you will not miss a kick. Right, in around five minutes both sets of players will join us on the pitch for the second period. Let's hope for more goals at the Camp El Madrigal.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. What a start to the season it would be for Villarreal if they could pick up another three points this evening. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital. The away side get the half underway.
Big blow for Villarreal in the early stages of the second period as Giovani hobbles off to be replaced by Perbet. It does not look too clever for the Mexican, who scored his side's equaliser from the penalty spot. It appears that the medical team are preparing ice for the former Tottenham Hotspur forward, but the nature of the injury is unclear at this stage.
The interval has done nothing to quell the threat from the home side with the likes of Cani and Bruno dictating the play from a deep position. The former creates a half-chance as he delivers a low cross into the box, but Perbet just loses control at the vital moment, allowing Rukavina the chance to clear the danger.
Not too much to get excited about if you are a Valladolid supporter at the moment with the away side struggling to keep possession in their own half. Villarreal continue to crowd the opposing half, but they just cannot find that elusive pass in the final third. At the moment, there looks to be only one winner.
Wonderful noise inside the stadium with the home supporters attempting to suck the ball into the Valladolid goal. Another free kick presents Trigueros with the opportunity to test Marino from distance, but the delivery is disappointing, with Rukavina clearing before the offside flag is raised. Little over 35 minutes of football remaining.
Half-chance for the away side this time as Alvaro combines with Oscar before floating a dangerous cross towards Garcia, but the Colombian loses out to Mario. Meanwhile, Valladolid make their first change of the match as Omar enters the field in place of Garcia.
The tide has just turned in the last couple of moments with Valladolid starting to see more of the ball in the final third, but Guerra has struggled for service since the early stages. They continue to get the ball wide at each opportunity, but if that is their plan, then why is Manucho not on the field?
Mario becomes the latest player to enter the book for a poor challenge on Pena, leaving the Spaniard in a heap on the ground. Clear chances have been few and far between in the second period, but I would be astounded if we had seen the last of the goals this evening. Little under 30 minutes of football remaining in this La Liga encounter.
It's good work from Aquino as the Mexican drives inside the full-back before finding Perbet, but his effort is pushed wide of the post by Marino. Perbet is again involved from the resulting corner, but the forward is booked for a charge on Marino. Meanwhile, the home supporters are doing their best to get behind their side with 64 minutes on the clock.
Excuse me, we have just seen a replay of the incident whether Perbet was shown a yellow card and it appears that the Frenchman tried to handle into the back of the net. That's poor from the forward. Villarreal continue to force the issue with a couple of free kicks in quick succession, but the away side manage to scramble clear following pin-ball inside the box.
Villarreal look to their bench once more as Uche enters in place of Pereira, who has just faded in the second period. Last week, Villarreal had Giovani and Pereira to thank for the three points, but now neither are on the pitch. Time for someone to step forward and make themselves a hero. There is time for that to happen with more than 20 minutes of normal time remaining.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with both sides seemingly prepared to open up in search of the winner. On the face of it, a point apiece would not be the worst result for either team, but Villarreal will have expected to pick up all three points this evening. The home side look to their bench for the final time as Pina replaces Trigueros. A sign of settling for a point?
You just get the feeling that Valladolid can smell something here as they continue to force the issue in the final third. An opportunity arrives as Omar Ramos whips a dangerous cross into the box, but Bruno is back performing his defensive duties. The resulting corner also causes concern in the home side's box, but Rueda can only head wide of the post.
I am convinced that there is a winner in this match if either side wants it. A half-chance arrives for the home side as Perbet meets a cross from Cani, but his header never had enough power to worry Marino in the Valladolid goal. Without Giovani, you just wonder whether the home side have the firepower to find a second.
Valladolid look to their bench once more as Guerra, who opened the scoring for his side this evening, is replaced by Osorio. What must Manucho be thinking? The former Manchester United striker would be perfect to provide a physical threat in the final 10 minutes, but he appears to be so out of favour at the moment.
Half-chance for the home side as Perbet beats two defenders before driving a low cross into the box, but there are no takers at the far post. The home supporters are creating a sensational atmosphere inside the stadium, which has certainly lifted the players. Little under 10 minutes of football remaining.
Valladolid just cannot get out of their own half at the moment with the likes of Cani and Bruno dictating the tempo from a deep position. Meanwhile, Valladolid make their third and final change of the evening as Rama replaces Oscar, who has struggled to influence proceedings in the second period.
GOAL! Villarreal 2-1 Valladolid (Cani)
Good grief that is some strike. If there is a better goal from across Europe this weekend then I would like to see it. Sensational from Cani as he bursts past two defenders before thumping an unstoppable effort into the top corner.
If there is a correct way to win a football match, then it is with a strike like that. It had appeared that both sides were preparing to settle for a share of the spoils, but someone had not told Cani. Little over three minutes of normal time remaining for Valladolid to respond once more.
What is it with Villarreal and scoring late goals at the moment? They needed two in the final five minutes to beat Almeria last weekend, now it appears another late strike has secured all three points. Valladolid are attempting to force the issue, but they simply cannot find that elusive pass in the final third.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes of action and we are indeed into the second of those. It is all hands to the pump for Villarreal with 10 yellow shirts behind the ball, which is making it difficult for Valladolid to find that final pass. Bar a late showing, it is going to be six points from two games for Villarreal on their return to Spain's top flight.
FULL-TIME: Villarreal 2-1 Valladolid
So there we have it. The referee brings the match to a close with Villarreal winning 2-1. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us from 5.30pm for three back-to-back live commentaries from La Liga. Good evening!
