Valencia lose lead as Villarreal win 2–1
Stole Dimitrievski kept Valencia in the match, but Mikautadze’s late counter in the fifth minute of stoppage time earned Villarreal a 2–1 victory on October 24, 2026.
Valencia surrendered a lead and lost 2:1 at home to Villarreal on October 24, 2026, in a match that ended in controversy and a late decisive strike. Stole Dimitrievski produced several important saves, but his efforts could not prevent a stoppage‑time winner.
Turning points: a penalty, two red cards, and a last‑gasp goal
The visitors threatened first through Bjukenenn, but Dimitrievski kept Valencia in the game with a strong save. The hosts struggled for much of the opening half‑hour, then won a penalty in the 35th minute after Raba was fouled on the right flank; Veiga halted his run and the referee pointed to the spot. Pepelu took the penalty and converted it with a calm, well‑taken finish.
Valencia created a big chance through Gaya in the 53rd minute which he missed, and five minutes later Danjuma came close for Villarreal but failed to score. The match shifted further in Villarreal's favour in the 69th minute when a left‑side move ended with Freeman heading the ball into the net to level the score.
Tensions rose after that: in the 76th minute Gaya received a straight red card for striking an opponent with his elbow and was sent off. Seconds later on the other side Eliott was shown a second yellow and also dismissed, leaving both teams reduced to ten men.
Despite the numerical parity, Villarreal found the decisive moment in the fifth minute of added time when Mikautadze launched a counter and finished clinically to make it 2:1. The goal sealed a comeback victory for the visitors and left Valencia to rue missed opportunities.
Stole Dimitrievski was described as solid between the posts, but the late turnaround and disciplinary blows cost the hosts a result they seemed to be holding earlier in the match.
Photo: press material from the event
