Racing Santander dazzled but dropped points in 2-2 draw with Villarreal
The promoted side led 2-0 at El Sardinero but Villarreal fought back to earn a 2-2 draw.
Racing Santander shone but could not hold on to a two-goal advantage, as their season opener at El Sardinero finished in a 2:2 draw with Villarreal.
The hosts opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 21st minute when Andres Martin converted, sending the ball the opposite way to Luis Junior and sending the home crowd into raptures.
How the first half unraveled
Racing doubled their lead before the break when Sergio Martinez found the net about ten minutes from the interval to make it 2-0. Villarreal reduced the deficit in the 45th minute when Papa Gaye struck with a very sharp shot to make it 2-1 going into the break.
In the next phase of play Villarreal levelled through Pepe with a fine strike that appeared, for a moment, to have been preceded by an offside; the referee quickly judged the goal valid and play resumed with the score even. In the third minute of added time Jose Perez had a chance that Racing’s defence repelled, forcing a corner and bringing the half to an end.
Racing will rue not turning a two-goal cushion into three points, but the 2:2 draw is a respectable outcome for the club just returned to the top tier as they begin the new LaLiga campaign.
Photo: press material from the event
