Villarreal, Spain, ESP — A breathless seven-goal contest at Estadio de la Cerámica ended in favor of the hosts, secured by a late Nicolas Pépé strike two minutes from time.
Villarreal drew first blood through Georges Mikautadze in the 30th minute, with Tajon Buchanan adding a second just sixty seconds later to give the home side a commanding early cushion. Santiago Mouriño extended the advantage to three goals in the 41st minute, leaving Elche with a mountain to climb at the break.
Elche mounted a stunning second-half response. Rafa Mir pulled one back in the 51st minute, then Pape Gueye restored Villarreal's two-goal margin in the 56th. Mir struck again for Elche in the 82nd minute, and André Silva reduced the deficit to one just moments later in the same minute, setting up a frantic finale.
Pépé settled nerves for Villarreal with his 84th-minute winner, ensuring the hosts held on despite Elche's relentless pressure.
GOALS:- 30' Georges Mikautadze - Villarreal- 31' Tajon Buchanan - Villarreal- 41' Santiago Mouriño - Villarreal- 16' Rafa Mir - Elche- 51' Rafa Mir - Elche- 56' Pape Gueye - Villarreal- 82' André Silva - Elche- 84' Nicolas Pépé - Villarreal
STANDOUT PLAYERS:- Villarreal: Nicolas Pépé - match-winning 84th-minute goal- Elche: Rafa Mir - 2 goals, led Elche's comeback attempt
KEY STAT: Elche controlled 63.1% of possession but Villarreal's clinical finishing across 7 shots on target from 16 attempts proved decisive.