Villarreal Crushes Espanyol 4-1 to Move Into Third Place in LaLiga Standings

Villarreal CF surged into third place in the LaLiga standings with a comprehensive 4-1 victory over struggling Espanyol at Estadio de la Cerámica on Monday evening. Georges Mikautadze, Nicolas Pépé, and Alberto Moleiro all found the scoresheet as the Yellow Submarine delivered one of their most impressive performances of the 2025-26 campaign.

The hosts opened the scoring in the 35th minute when Mikautadze finished a well-worked team move to give Villarreal the lead. Just six minutes later, the advantage doubled in fortuitous fashion as Espanyol defender José Salinas turned the ball into his own net under pressure from the Villarreal attack. The two-goal cushion heading into halftime effectively killed off any hopes of an Espanyol comeback.

Villarreal continued their dominance after the break, with Pépé adding a third goal in the 50th minute following excellent buildup play. The Ivorian winger has been in scintillating form in recent weeks, and his clinical finish demonstrated why he's become one of LaLiga's most dangerous attacking threats. Moleiro added further gloss to the scoreline in the 55th minute, making it 4-0 and capping a devastating 20-minute spell that saw Villarreal score three times.

Espanyol managed a late consolation through Leandro Cabrera in the 88th minute, but it did little to mask another disappointing performance from the Barcelona-based club. The visitors have endured a torrid start to 2026, collecting just two points from their last six matches and finding themselves dangerously close to the relegation zone. Their defensive frailties were exposed repeatedly by Villarreal's fluid attacking play.

The victory sees Villarreal leapfrog several rivals to claim third position in the LaLiga table, putting them in prime position for UEFA Champions League qualification. Manager Marcelino García Toral's side have now won four consecutive league matches, showcasing the kind of consistency that has been the hallmark of successful Villarreal teams in recent years. Their balanced approach and tactical flexibility have made them one of the most difficult teams to face in Spain's top flight.

With crucial matches against Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid on the horizon, Villarreal's confidence will be sky-high following this emphatic statement victory. For Espanyol, manager Luis García's position is under increasing scrutiny as the team continues to slide toward potential relegation. The margin of defeat and lack of competitive edge in Monday's match will only intensify the pressure on both the players and coaching staff as they fight to preserve their top-flight status.