VILLARREAL-LIVERPOOL. In a difficult game, Liverpool clinched their ticket to the Champions League final. Villarreal had returned to the heights over all of the two meetings but Jürgen Klopp’s men were able to save the day in the second act.
23:15 – The summary of the match
Liverpool got scared but made it to the Champions League final. In a one-sided first period, the Spaniards flew over the first act. Boulaye Dia relaunched the double confrontation by opening the counter in the third minute of play on a missed strike from Etienne Capoue. The former Toulousain is again decisive on the second goal of the Yellows. In a 100% French action, it is Francis Coquelin who comes to punish Alisson for the second time of the evening just before returning to the locker room (41st). But in the second half, the change made by Jürgen Klopp changed the face of this meeting. Luis Diaz replaced Diogo Jota and Liverpool regained control of the game. The burst of energy on the part of Unai Emery’s players certainly also weighed in the balance. After the bar of Trent Alexander-Arnold (55th), Fabinho decides to project himself into the penalty area to conclude a long sequence of possession of the Reds and to deceive Rulli (62nd), not exempt from any reproach. A few minutes later, the supersub Luis Diaz imitated Fabinho (67th) and deceived the former Montpellier goalkeeper a second time with an angry whim. Liverpool did not seem satisfied or reassured and it took Sadio Mané to give his side the advantage (74th) in this meeting for Jürgen Klopp to then rotate. The yellow submarine never knew how to react in this second period and Etienne Capoue’s red card at the end of the game (86th) definitively confirmed the hopes of qualification for Unai Emery’s team. Liverpool will play their third Champions League final in the last five editions of the competition on May 28 at the Stade de France.
23:00 – Villarreal’s fine run comes to an end
Villarreal thought they would hold their feat at half-time of this Villarreal – Liverpool. The Yellow Submarine capsized the Estadio de la Ceramica for 45 minutes leading by two goals at the break. But the step was too big and after eliminating Juventus Turin and Bayern Munich, Liverpool put an end to the magnificent journey of Unai Emery’s team.
22:55 – Liverpool win their ticket to the Champions League final
It is the first team to win its ticket to the Champions League final after this Villarreal – Liverpool. The Reds therefore have an appointment at the Stade de France on May 28 from 9 p.m. They will calmly watch the other semi-final of the competition this Wednesday evening between Real Madrid and Manchester City. Liverpool will play their third final in the last five editions of the Champions League.
22:50 – The players are done with Villarreal (2-3)
The score advantage (2-3) of Liverpool FC is rather logical in view of the figures available after this duel. The Reds indeed had a slight ascendancy in ball possession (48%-52%) but also and above all proved to be more dangerous by targeting more shots (6 shots against 2 for Villarreal CF).
22:48 – Two minutes of additional time
The fourth referee of this Villarreal – Liverpool announces two minutes of additional time.
22:46 – Liverpool’s poorly executed counter
The Reds could have added a fourth goal in this Villarreal – Liverpool but the five against two ended in an exit after a strike from outside Mohamed Salah.
22:45 – Henderson’s strike flies away
Jordan Henderson organizes himself in front of Rulli’s penalty area and takes his chance but his shot ends up in the stands of the Estadio de la Ceramica which gives a little voice in this end of Villarreal – Liverpool.
22:44 – Red card for Villarreal CF!
Danny Makkelie takes a red card out of his pocket for Etienne Capoue, the Villarreal CF player, cautioned for the second time in this match!
22:43 – Pau Torres takes a yellow
The Spanish defender of Villarreal takes a yellow card after a poorly controlled tackle from Pau Torres which took everything with him.
22:42 – Fabinho gives up his place
New change in this Villarreal – Liverpool. The Reds’ first goalscorer, Fabinho, leaves and is replaced by James Milner.
22:40 – The Yellows can’t do it anymore
Villarreal no longer manages to unfold the game they used in the first act of this Villarreal – Liverpool. This end of the game could be long for Unai Emery’s players.
22:37 – Superb save from Rulli
Liverpool’s fourth goal was just around the corner. After a nice one-two between Henderson and Mané, the Senegalese takes his chance but Rulli throws himself on the ball to prevent it from returning. This end of Villarreal – Liverpool is totally unbridled.
22:36 – Three changes on each side
Make way for changes in this Villarreal – Liverpool. Dia, Estupinan and Raul Albiol give way to Alcacer, Trigueros and Aurier. On the side of the Reds, Jordan Henderson replaces Naby Keïta, Curtis Jones replaces Thiago and Tsimikas takes the place of Robertson.
22:35 – Pedraza’s header leaks the frame
Alfonso Pedraza takes the best in the Liverpool penalty area but his header is too uncrossed and escapes the frame of Alisson who was worried for the first time in this second period of Villarreal – Liverpool.
22:34 – Yellow card for Alexander-Arnold
Trent Alexander-Arnold receives a yellow card after a foul on Pedraza who got the better of the English side.
22:32 – Another goal at the Stade de la Céramique for Liverpool FC (2-3)!
Liverpool FC takes the lead! It was Sadio Mane who managed to put the Reds back in the running in the 74th minute of play. The score went to 2-3 in this 2nd half at the Stade de la Céramique.
22:26 – Double change for Villarreal
Unai Emery tries to calm the bleeding. Gerard Moreno and Francis Coquelin give way to Samuel Chukweze and Alfonso Pedraza. This Villarreal – Liverpool seems folded now after the second goal of the Reds.
22:25 – Goal: Liverpool FC equalize (2-2)!
Equalization in the 67th minute of play at the Stade de la Céramique! Luis Diaz resets the counters in this 2nd half against Villarreal CF. We are 2 to 2 in this meeting!
22:23 – Luis Diaz still dangerous
After a nice individual festival from Luis Diaz, the Colombian winger rolls up his ball but Raul Albiol deflects it for a corner. The yellow submarine has been suffering since returning from the locker room in this Villarreal – Liverpool.
22:20 – Yellow card for Capua
Bad news keeps coming for Villarreal players. Just after the goal conceded by Rulli on a strike from Fabinho, Etienne Capoue receives a yellow card for a poorly controlled tackle on the Liverpool striker.
22:19 – Goal: Liverpool FC reduces the gap at the Stade de la Céramique (2-1)!
Liverpool FC close the gap in this duel against Villarreal CF, thanks to a goal from Fabinho in the 62nd minute of the game in this 2nd period. 2 to 1 at the Stade de la Céramique.
22:17 – It’s game time
The hour mark has just been reached at the Estadio de la Ceramica in this Villarreal – Liverpool. The first ticket for the Champions League final has still not been distributed and the suspense remains.
22:14 – What an opportunity for Luis Diaz
Sadio Mané had perfectly found Luis Diaz at the far post. The Colombian flies away and tries a complicated gesture but misses it. It is no longer the same Liverpool in this semi-final second leg of the Champions League.