Villarreal CF delivered a statement performance at La Cerámica, dismantling Real Sociedad in emphatic fashion to all but secure their place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.

The hosts were simply electric in the first half, overwhelming their opponents with pace, precision, and clinical finishing. Gerard Moreno opened the scoring with a well-placed header, setting the tone early. Moments later, Georges Mikautadze doubled the advantage, reacting quickest to a rebound inside the box. The third goal came via Pepe, whose strike took a decisive deflection off a defender, leaving Álex Remiro helpless.

Real Sociedad attempted to respond immediately after the break, with Luka Sučić capitalising on a defensive lapse to pull one back inside the opening minute of the second half, briefly reigniting hope.

The visitors pushed forward with renewed urgency, but Villarreal, expertly organised by Marcelino, remained dangerous on the counter-attack. Mikautadze in particular had several opportunities to put the result beyond doubt, though his finishing let him down at crucial moments.

2025-26, Spain - La Liga

Villarreal - Real Sociedad 3:1 (3:0)
Goals: Gerard Moreno, 7 (1:0); Mikautadze, 15 (2:0); Pépé N., 23 (3:0); Sucic L., 47 (3:1)

Villarreal: Júnior L.; Navarro; Veiga; Mourino; Pedraza A.; Gueye P.A. (Dani Parejo, 89); Comesaña (Partey T., 89); Moleiro (Alfon, 74); Gerard Moreno (Buchanan T., 74); Mikautadze (Oluwaseyi, 89); Pépé N.
Substitution: Buchanan T. (from 74); Alfon (from 74); Partey T. (from 89); Dani Parejo (from 89); Oluwaseyi (from 89)
Bench: Tenas; Freeman; Marín Ra.; Kambwala; Cardona S.

Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu (Elustondo, 68); Martín Jon; Gorrotxategi (Sucic L., 46); Zubeldia I. (Caleta-Car, 54); Oyarzabal (Zakharyan, 82); Sergio Gomez; Soler; Méndez B. (Oskarsson, 68); Guedes G.; Barrenetxea
Substitution: Sucic L. (from 46); Caleta-Car (from 54); Elustondo (from 68); Oskarsson (from 68); Zakharyan (from 82)
Bench: Marrero; Muñoz A.; Marin P.; Wesley; Karrikaburu
Yellow Cards: Aramburu 38; Guedes G. 78