UCL: Liverpool beat Villarreal 3 – 2, qualify for final

The Reds had comfortably won 2-0 in the first leg but that advantage was wiped out after only 41 minutes at a noisy and passionate El Madrigal as the Spanish side pushed for a huge upset.

Boulaye Dia scored Villarreal’s first after only three minutes, converting Etienne Capoue’s pass, before ex-Arsenal midfielder Francis Coquelin headed in a second from another Capoue cross as the Reds looked rattled.

Liverpool had to improve in the second half and Fabinho put them back in front on aggregate with a shot that went through the legs of Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli in the 62nd minute.

Luis Diaz, whose introduction at half time changed the game after he replaced Diogo Jota, restored Liverpool’s two-goal aggregate advantage with a header at the back post.

Sadio Mane secured Liverpool’s place in their third Champions League final in five seasons with a third goal after taking the ball around Rulli. Villarreal ended the game with 10 men with Capoue sent off late on for two bookable offences.

The Reds will play either Manchester City or Real Madrid at the Stade de France in Paris on Saturday, 25 May.

No English side has ever won the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup all in the same season, with Liverpool aiming to create history.

BBC Sport 


Comments

You Can Also Read

Remembering the 1918 Influenza Pandemic

Man Utd sack Mourinho after poor start to the season

Top 20 richest Nollywood actors and actresses in 2024

Text of Jonathan’ s New Year broadcast

Osun governor Ademola Adeleke replaces sacked APC LG chairmen with civil servants

Atiku condemned Senator Elisha Abbo assault act

Unsealing of Christ's Reputed Tomb Turns Up New Revelations