LaLiga: Villarreal Edges Closer to Champions League with 3-0 Win Over Leganes

Villarreal secures 3-0 win over Leganés, moving closer to Champions League qualification. Learn more about the match.

Villarreal edged closer to securing a Champions League spot after a 3-0 win over Leganés, solidifying their top-five position in LaLiga.

The hosts started strong, with Yeremy Pino shooting on target within the first minute. Despite Leganés' improved play, they failed to capitalize, notably when Seydouba Cisse shot wide from a promising opportunity.

Villarreal took the lead after a neat passing move involving Alex Baena and Pape Gueye set up Alfonso Pedraza's shot. Ayoze Perez cleverly flicked the ball past Marko Dmitrovic, altering its trajectory to seal the goal.

FT: #VillarrealLeganés 3-0

💛 Ayoze continues to shine as @VillarrealCFen keep TOP 5 in their sights.#LALIGAEASPORTS | #DesenlaceLALIGA pic.twitter.com/ubggSWHfen

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) May 14, 2025

Villarreal extended their lead just eight minutes later. Juan Foyth delivered a well-placed pass to Yeremy Pino, who found himself with acres of space. The 22-year-old attacker sprinted forward before slipping the ball to Ayoze Perez, who steadied himself under pressure from Adria Altimira and finished with aplomb, scoring his 21st goal of the campaign.

Not content with their two-goal lead, Villarreal looked hungry for at least one more goal before half-time. After a couple of chances went begging, they got their third just before the break. Alex Baena’s gorgeous pass with the outside of his right boot found Nicolas Pepe, who stroked the ball home to put the game beyond the hapless visitors.

To their credit, Borja Jimenez’s side refused to let their heads drop, but they continued to struggle in creating consistent, clear-cut opportunities.

Yeremy Pino had a chance to inflict further damage when he was found by Ayoze Perez’s perceptive square pass, but he spared Leganés further punishment.

Even after making a quadruple substitution just after the hour mark, Leganés struggled to trouble the Villarreal defense, their best chance coming when Jorge Saenz's header hit the crossbar from a corner.

The win marked Villarreal's fourth straight league victory, a streak they hadn't achieved since March last year. This newfound momentum will likely boost their confidence as they travel to face league leaders Barcelona on Saturday.

Leganés remain 18th, now four points behind the safety zone following Deportivo Alavés' 1-0 win over Valencia. However, their final two matches against the teams below them in the standings offer a glimmer of hope for survival.