Copenhagen secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Villarreal at El Madrigal, boosting their hopes of advancing in the Champions League. This win follows their previous triumph against Kairat Almaty, marking a significant turnaround after four winless matches. Mohamed Elyounoussi gave Copenhagen an early lead with a volley just 71 seconds into the game, which they maintained until half-time.
The second half saw more action as Santi Comesana equalised for Villarreal shortly after the break. However, Elias Achouri quickly restored Copenhagen's lead with a low shot under Luiz Junior. Achouri had been introduced at half-time, while Villarreal made three substitutions that led to Tani Oluwaseyi scoring another equaliser from inside the area.
Despite Villarreal's
efforts to secure their first win, it was Copenhagen who found the decisive goal in stoppage time. Andreas Cornelius capitalised on a deflected shot to score the winner, highlighting Villarreal's misfortune this season. The result leaves Villarreal still searching for their first victory in the group stage.
This victory was particularly notable for Copenhagen, who had never won away against Spanish teams in 15 previous attempts. Their last consecutive Champions League wins were back in 2010. With an xG of 1.5 compared to Villarreal's 1.94, Copenhagen's performance was efficient and timely as they aim for a top-24 finish.
Upcoming matches against Napoli and Barcelona make this win crucial for Copenhagen's campaign. Their recent form suggests they could challenge these formidable opponents and continue their unexpected journey in the tournament.
Full-time at the Estadio de la Cermica.#UCL pic.twitter.com/Ma027vGuBoVillarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) December 10, 2025
For Villarreal, this defeat continues a challenging campaign where luck has often eluded them. Despite creating opportunities and making strategic changes during the match, they remain winless in the group stage. The team will need to regroup and find solutions to turn their fortunes around in future fixtures.
Copenhagen's unexpected success story adds excitement to this year's Champions League narrative. Their ability to seize crucial moments has kept them competitive against stronger teams, offering hope for further achievements as they progress through the tournament stages.
