Vila-real, Spain (Sunday, November 26, 2023) - Club Atlético Osasuna (4-2-8, 14 points) fell 3-1 to Villarreal Club de Fútbol (4-3-7, 15 points) at Estadio de la Cerámica on Sunday afternoon. Los rojillos could not capitalize on the many chances created during the first half, and a second-half hat-trick by forward José Luis Morales gave Villarreal the three points.

Osasuna was the better side in the first half, forcing goalkeeper Filip Jörgensen to make several saves. In the ninth minute, midfielder Aimar Oroz stole the ball in the midfield and slalomed down the field to take a right footed shot that the Swedish goalie parried away. Forward Ante Budimir found the rebound and tried with a left footed shot, which the goalkeeper stopped with his feet. Midfielder Moi Gómez had another opportunity, but his shot met Jörgensen.

Defender Rubén Peña and midfielder Lucas Torró tried with a shot from outside the box, but neither attempt found the back of the net. Peña had another opportunity as the half ended, but the Groguet goalkeeper got a hand on it.

After the break, los rojillos began leading in possession and chance creation, but it all changed in the 58th minute. Morales' first goal came in when he tapped the ball following a low cross from forward Gerard Moreno. 13 minutes later, Morales and Moreno connected again to extend the lead for the home side. Despite the 2-0, the Navarrese side did not give up, and defender Alejandro Catena shortened the distance with a header off from a corner kick. However, Morales sealed the score three minutes later.

Osasuna returns to El Sadar on Saturday, December 2, to face Real Sociedad on Week 15 of LaLiga EA Sports. Kickoff is scheduled for 9 p.m. CET (8 p.m. GMT/3 p.m. ET).

GAME NOTES

- Today's match was Osasuna's first meeting with Villarreal this season, 47th of all-time and 37th in the top flight. Los rojillos now hold a record of 18-8-21 (13-7-17 in the top flight).
- Defender Alejandro Catena scored his first goal with Osasuna.
- Forward Chimy Ávila recorded his second assist of the season.
- Midfielder Lucas Torró played his 150th game as a rojillo and 90th in Primera División.

BOX SCORE
Villarreal CF 3-1 CA Osasuna

GOALS:
VIL: José Luis Morales 1 (Gerard Moreno 2) 57’
VIL: José Luis Morales 2 (Gerard Moreno 3) 71’
OSA: Alejandro Catena 1 (Chimy Ávila 2) 77’
VIL: José Luis Morales 3 (Álex Baena 5) 80’
 
DISCIPLINE:
N/A

Villarreal CF: Filip Jörgensen; Raúl Abidol (C), Jorge Cuenca, Étinne Capoue (Santi Comesaña, m. 68), Gerard Moreno (Manu Trigueros, m. 79), Juan Foyth, Dani Parejo, José Luis Morales (Ben Brereton Díaz, m. 87), Álex Baena, Alfonso Pedraza (Alberto Moreno, m. 87), Adrià Altimira (Illias Akhomach, m. 68)

Subs not used:  Pepe Reina; Kiko Femenía, Ramón Terrats, Abraham del Moral, Jorge Pascual Medina, Carlos Romero

CA Osasauna: Sergio Herrera; David García (C), Lucas Torró (Iker Muñoz, m. 77), Jon Moncayola (Raúl García, m. 64), Aimar Oroz (Rubén García, m. 77), Jesús Areso, Rubén Peña (Chimy Ávila, m. 68), Moi Gómez, Ante Budimir (Jose Arnaiz, m. 77), Johan Mojica, Alejandro Catena

Subs not used: Aitor Fernández, Pablo Valencia; Nacho Vidal, Juan Cruz, Unai García, Pablo Ibáñez, Jorge Herrando

STATS SUMMARY:
VIL/OSA
Shots: 10/15
Shots on Goal: 3/7
Corners: 2/4
Fouls: 9/14
Offsides: 3/3
Possession: 44.6%/55.4%

Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoechea
Assistant referees: Íker De Francisco Grijalba & Jon Núñez Fernández 
Fourth official: Gonzalo Romero Freixas 
VAR: Valentín Pizarro Gómez 
Assistant VAR: Álvaro Granel Peiró