Racing return to La Liga with a 2-2 thriller against Villarreal

Real Racing Club Santander

The Sardinero was once again alive with a La Liga clash 14 years later, with Racing newly promoted and Segunda champions, determined to keep their identity against one of the strongest teams from the previous campaign. Opposite them was a Villarreal that had finished third and began a new chapter with Iñigo Pérez in the dugout. There was also a special focus on Sergio Canales, back in green-and-white for the first time in many years since his initial spell in Santander.

First half

The match kicked off without any nerves from Racing. Villarreal soon found some openings through Georges Mikautadze, but the home side replied by attacking from mid-range and looking to speed things up every time they regained possession. The first setback arrived very early for José Alberto: Pedro Felipe had to leave the pitch injured and Manu Hernando came on in his place in the 16th minute.

A little later, the first decisive moment appeared. Jorge Salinas won a foul from Santi Comesaña inside the area and Andrés Martín took responsibility from the spot. The forward did not miss and made it 1-0. The goal gave confidence to a Racing side that began to find spaces around Villalibre and to load the area, with Andrés and Íñigo Vicente arriving from the second line.

The 2-0 came from another home attack. After an Andrés effort was cleared away, Sergio Martínez appeared from outside the area to pick out an extraordinary right-footed strike into the top corner. The Sardinero enjoyed an almost perfect scenario, and shortly before that Asier Villalibre had even had a header from very close range.

Villarreal, however, did not lose their composure. They built possession, corners and presence near the area until they completely changed the game in the final minutes of the first half. Pape Gueye pulled one back with a left-footed strike from outside the area after a pass from Alberto Moleiro, and in added time Nicolas Pépé received from Mikautadze on the right side of the area and fired the ball into the opposite corner. The goal was confirmed after a review and turned what looked like a solid 2-0 into a 2-2 before the break.

Second half

The draw did not cause Racing to retreat. In fact, the Cantabrians started better after the break and had several chances to regain the lead. Mantilla brushed the goal with a header from close range, Andrés Martín fired wide after a pass from Jorge Salinas, and Canales then forced Luiz Júnior into action. José Alberto's side, with less possession, continued to find more direct routes to reach the area.

Iñigo Pérez tried to change the picture with a triple change in the 56th minute: Gerard Moreno, Tajon Buchanan and Carlos Macià came on. Villarreal gained more presence in the opposing half and made approaches through Mouriño and Pépé, while Racing reduced the risks and tried to punish the space. The stats reflected the difference in plans: the yellow team had more of the ball and more corners, but Racing ended up producing more shots.

José Alberto refreshed the squad with Maguette Gueye, Zabiri, Diego Díaz and Facu González. Precisely Yassir Zabiri had one of the best chances of the closing stages with a header from very close range that Luiz Júnior managed to divert. Villarreal also threatened in several actions around the area, but none managed to break the balance. After four goals in the first half, the second ended with no reward for anyone and the 2-2 remained the final result.

Top performers Comunio / Sofascore

11

Andrés Martín
8.980.000€-460.000€    -

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For Racing de Santander, the fantasy spotlight was shared around. Andrés Martín finished with 11 Comunio points and 7.5 on Sofascore: he scored the penalty for 1-0, was consistently involved in attacks and built up several shooting situations. He also reached 11 Comunio points for Sergio Martínez, backed by a 7.3 on Sofascore, thanks in particular to his spectacular strike to make it 2-0.

The highest Sofascore rating among the Racing players was for Iñigo Vicente, with 8.0, plus 10 Comunio points. Without scoring, he again showed his ability to keep attacks going and to create danger; one of his counter-attack carries put Andrés close to the goal just before the break. Gustavo Puerta, with 7 Comunio points and 7.3 on Sofascore, completed another interesting match for managers looking for pieces with a steady presence in the game.

14

Pape Gueye
10.910.000€+20.000€    3

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For Villarreal, the standout name was Pape Gueye: 14 Comunio points and 8.0 on Sofascore. His goal from outside the area opened up the yellow comeback, and his influence in midfield allowed him to finish as the most profitable player in the match on Comunio. Right behind him was Nicolas Pépé, the scorer of the 2-2, with 12 Comunio points and 7.8 on Sofascore. Two performances that kick off the season with a significant fantasy reward.

Carlos Romero also left good numbers, with 7 Comunio points and 7.3 on Sofascore. On the other end was Luiz Júnior, who finished with 0 Comunio points and 5.9 on Sofascore despite making a number of accurate interventions in the second half. There were no negative Comunio scores among the players featured from the match.

Match details

Result: Racing de Santander 2-2 Villarreal CF.

Goals: 1-0, Andrés Martín (21', penalty); 2-0, Sergio Martínez (34'); 2-1, Pape Gueye (45'); 2-2, Nicolas Pépé (45+1'). 

Stadium: Campos de Sport de El Sardinero.

Referee: Miguel Sesma Espinosa.

Racing de Santander: Julen Agirrezabala; Álvaro Mantilla, Pedro Felipe, Pablo Ramón, Jorge Salinas; Gustavo Puerta, Sergio Martínez; Andrés Martín, Sergio Canales, Iñigo Vicente; Asier Villalibre.

Villarreal: Luiz Júnior; Santiago Mouriño, Juan Foyth, Renato Veiga, Carlos Romero; Alberto Moleiro, Santi Comesaña, Pape Gueye, Nicolas Pépé; Ayoze Pérez and Georges Mikautadze.