The parallel match between Hapoel Be’er Sheva and Lech Poznan started at 9 p.m. The shadow of Muharem Huskovic’s serious car accident hung over the game in front of 11,000 spectators. At the team photo before the start of the game, the trio of nine of the U21 team striker was presented, Villarreal sent get well wishes and even the Austria mascot wore the bodysuit of the 19-year-old, who, according to sports director Manuel Ortlechner, is talkable again. In the ninth minute, the audience rose and gave Huskovic encouraging applause.
On the field itself, the highlights were limited. In addition to Huskovic, Austria also had to give up the ailing Lukas Mühl and Marvin Martins, coach Manfred Schmid relied on a five-man chain to avoid a debacle against the Spaniards like the 0: 5 in the previous week. This measure paid off in that there was practically no way for Villarreal to get through against the purple defence. Only twice did the guests create danger before the break.
Arnaut Danjuma shot over the bar in the 36th minute and three minutes later the attacker’s header came just inches short of a Johan Mojica cross. Villarreal’s Samuel Chukwueze, unstoppable last week, was taken out of the game by Manuel Polster this time.
Austria’s defensive stability came at the expense of attacking play – the Villarreal defense weren’t really bothered. Only in the 23rd minute did the Violets make a promising appearance in the opponent’s sixteen, but Georg Teigl was pushed off in a good position.
After the change of sides, nothing fundamental changed in the characteristics of the game. Villarreal enjoyed plenty of possession but few chances. Austria toiled and closed the space, but rarely produced anything productive up front – with the exception of an attempt by Can Keles, which was tamed by Villarreal goalkeeper Pepe Reina (77′).
The Spaniards finally got the lucky punch. After a mistake by Polster, Jose Morales got through with a bit of luck on the ball and put his heel down on substitute Jackson – Austria goalie Christian Früchtl still had his shot in, but the decisive goal could no longer be prevented (87th minute). ). After the fourth win in the fourth group game, Villarreal is firmly in the top two and thus through.