Season in Review: From Mid‑Table Threat to Record‑Setting Force
The Yellow Submarine entered the final round of LaLiga already assured of a Champions League spot, but the atmosphere at the Estadio de la Cerámica was anything but relaxed. Fans waved more than 20,000 flags, and the club anthem roared through the stands, setting the tone for what turned into a veritable goal‑fest.
From the third minute, Villarreal announced its intentions. Young winger Yeremy Pino slotted home a dazzling strike, immediately lifting a shirt in tribute to long‑time captain Raúl Albiol. The gesture sparked a chorus of chants, and the stage was set for a night of attacking fireworks.
Just four minutes later, midfield dynamo Pape Gueye added the second goal, making it look routine for the home side. The Senegalese player would later double his tally, cementing himself as the night’s standout performer.
Sevilla, refusing to be brushed aside, pulled one back through Djibril Sow in the 28th minute, hinting at a possible comeback. The visitors, however, could not match Villarreal’s relentless push. In the 38th minute, Álex Baena, who finished the campaign with ten assists and seven goals, received a perfect ball in the box and fired it home with clinical precision.
Before the break, the scoreline read 3‑1 in favour of the hosts. The match’s first half also featured a goal credited to Jose Angel Carmona – sources differ on whether the tally belonged to Sevilla or Villarreal, but the consensus is that Villarreal’s dominance was never seriously threatened.
When the second half kicked off, the tempo stayed high. Gueye’s second goal added a comfortable cushion, while Sevilla managed a late consolation through Ramón Martínez, whose effort rattled the post before finding the net. The final whistle confirmed a 4‑2 victory, sealing a 70‑point haul for Villarreal.
The win also took the club’s season total to 71 league goals, eclipsing every previous top‑flight tally in its history. The achievement reflects a clear strategic shift under manager Marcel Marcelino, who has turned the team into one of Spain’s most entertaining attacking outfits.
- 70 points – second‑best finish in club history.
- 71 goals – new LaLiga record for Villarreal.
- Champions League qualification secured for the 2025‑26 season.
Farewell to a Legend: Raúl Albiol’s Last Home Game
Beyond the numbers, the evening carried deep emotional weight. Veteran defender Raúl Albiol, a figure synonymous with Villarreal’s rise over the past decade, was set to leave the club. The stadium erupted in a unified chant at the third minute, the same moment Pino scored his opening goal.
Albiol’s leadership was highlighted in every tribute that followed – from heartfelt statements by the club hierarchy to personal congratulations from teammates. The flag‑filled stands turned into a living tribute, each banner a reminder of the defender’s years of service.
Marcelino, in his post‑match interview, called the season “fantastic,” underscoring how Albiol’s professionalism helped shape the squad’s identity. While the captain’s departure marks the end of an era, the club’s record‑breaking offensive display suggests that the foundation he helped build will continue to thrive.
Looking ahead, Villarreal now turns its focus to the upcoming Champions League campaign. The confidence gained from a historic goal tally and a solid points total provides a springboard for competing against Europe’s elite. Fans will be hoping the same attacking spark that produced 71 goals will translate onto the continental stage.
For now, the Yellow Submarine sails off with a trophy‑free but record‑filled season, a festive send‑off for a club legend, and a promise of exciting football to come.