Villarreal vs. Liverpool result and highlights: Champions League final spot sealed by Reds in game of two comebacks
Liverpool are through to a third Champions League final in five seasons after an incredible 5-2 aggregate semi final win over Villarreal.
Jurgen Klopp’s side surrendered their two-goal first leg advantage, in a disjointed first half display in Castellon, as goals from Boulaye Dia and Francis Coquelin threatened to cause an iconic upset
However, the half time introduction of Luis Diaz turned the tide for Liverpool, as the Colombian headed them level on the night, following Fabinho’s close range finish.
The visitors showed their ruthlessness late on, as Sadio Mane pounced on Geronimo Rulli’s error to slot home a third goal, before Etienne Capoue was dismissed for a second booking in the final minutes.
MORE: Villarreal vs. Liverpool best bets, odds, lines, picks, and expert predictions
Villarreal vs. Liverpool final score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Villarreal | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Liverpool | 3 | 3 | 3 |
Goals:
VIL— Boulaye Dia (Pervis Estupinan) — 3rd min, Francis Coquelin (Etienne Capoue) — 41st min
LIV — Fabinho (Mo Salah) — 62nd min, Luis Diaz (Trent Alexander-Arnold) — 66th min, Sadio Mane (Naby Keita) — 74th min
Villarreal vs. Liverpool live updates and highlights
FULL TIME: An incredible end at the Estadio de la Ceramica!!!!
A game of two halves in Castellon as Liverpool produced a dominant second half performance to break Villarreal hearts on the night. Boulaye Dia and Francis Coquelin’s early goals set the stage for a potential shock but the Reds were ruthless in the second half, as Fabinho, Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane completely turned the tie around to seal their place in the final
88th Min: Liverpool break and look for a fourth on the night but Salah gets his feet in a tangle and Villarreal clear their lines.
85th Min: A miserable end for Villarreal
Liverpool substitute Curtis Jones zips away from Capoue and the former Spurs midfielder brings him down. A second booking and the Frenchman is sent off!!!
Villarreal will end the game with ten men.
74th Min: INCREDIBLE FROM LIVERPOOL
From 2-0 down to 3-2 in front on the night………..and 5-2 on aggregate. Keita’s long ball forward frees Mane in behind and Rulli makes a mess of his clearance to let the Senegalese star to roll home a fifth aggregate goal!!!
41′: Villarreal 2-0 Liverpool
74′: Villarreal 2-3 LiverpoolBack in full control of this tie! 😱#UCL pic.twitter.com/dlKwB2yvPm
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 3, 2022
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Mane passes the ball into an empty net after rounding Gerónimo Rulli! ⚽️
Liverpool have turned this around with such ease in the second half!
Three goals in the space of 12 minutes 🌪#UCL pic.twitter.com/XsohPejL2j
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 3, 2022
66th Min: LIVERPOOL HAVE TURNED IT AROUND
Klopp’s visitors have wrestled control back and they are now 30 minutes away from the final in Paris!!! Alexander-Arnold has time to hang a cross into the back post and Diaz nods past Rulli.
LUIS DÍAZ PUTS IT THROUGH RULLI’S LEGS. AGAIN. 🔴 pic.twitter.com/VVmAA2OIAr
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 3, 2022
What a reaction from Liverpool!!!
62nd Min: LIVERPOOL RESPOND
A reaction has been coming from Liverpool and Klopp’s side are back in front on aggregate. Salah spots a gap in behind the Villarreal back line and Fabinho fires home through Rulli’s legs.
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Fabinho slams the ball home! 💥
Liverpool weren’t going to roll over that easily…
Gerónimo Rulli won’t want to see that one again! 😔 #UCL pic.twitter.com/vJvXvAYVCE
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 3, 2022
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FABINHO HITS IT THROUGH RULLI’S LEGS. 💥 pic.twitter.com/dN4Cdi82Gk
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 3, 2022
56th Min: Two QUICKFIRE chances for Liverpool
Villarreal are caught sleeping from a quick Liverpool free kick and Trent Alexander-Arnold’s shot loops of Coquelin and clips the top of Geronimo Rulli’s crossbar.
Liverpool come again and Diaz goes for an acrobatic volley at the back post but his effort flies wide!!
50th Min: Liverpool have struggled more than any other game this season with a first half xG of 0.006
Liverpool have three touches in the Villarreal penalty area for their lowest first-half total in all competitions this season, while their 0.06 xG is their second-lowest first-half mark.#VILLIV #UCL
— The Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) May 3, 2022
46th Min: WE ARE BACK!!!
A HUGE 45 MINUTES INCOMING IN CASTELLON
A change at the break for Liverpool as Luis Diaz replaces Jota but Moreno looks set to soldier on for Villarreal.
46′ – The second-half is underway. Diaz is on in place of Jota at the break.
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 3, 2022
HALF TIME: Villarreal 2 Liverpool 0
An incredible first 45 minutes in Castellon as goals from Boulaye Dia and Francis Coquelin have flipped the script to level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.
❌ Francis Coquelin for #AFC: 0 goals in 160 appearances.
🟡 Francis Coquelin for #VCF is a different beast! 😮
The unlikely #UCL hero with a 𝘽𝙄𝙂 header to help Villarreal turn this tie on it’s head! ⚖️#VILLIV pic.twitter.com/JwE4DwV6tU
— 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 UK 🇬🇧 (@sportingnewsuk) May 3, 2022
Liverpool need a response in the second 45 as the Yellow Submarine look for a historical upset!!!!
41st Min: 2-0 VILLARREAL!!!!! THE HOSTS ARE LEVEL ON AGGREGATE!!!!
Incredible stuff as Villarreal draw level on aggregate just before the break. Etienne Capoue does well to keep a loose ball alive inside the box and his back post dink is headed home by Francis Coquelin!!!!
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WOOOOOOOOW! 🤯
A great cross, a stunning leap, and a perfect header! 🎯
Francis Coquelin has drawn this tie level!#UCL pic.twitter.com/bmpwsptIAp
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 3, 2022
GAME ON!!!!
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FRANCIS COQUELIN! TIE LEVEL! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/QjsKXbwVUB
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 3, 2022
36th Min: PENALTY SHOUT FOR VILLARREAL
Lo Celso burst in behind Virgil van Dijk and collides with Alisson…………but referee Danny Makkelie waves away the hosts shouts for a spot kick.
Worrying news for Villarreal as Moreno appears to be struggling……..
An incredible moment. Everyone expects a penalty, ref immediately waved it away.
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) May 3, 2022
30th Min: Tight opening half hour in Castellon
🟡🆚🔴 Who’s on top in Villarreal?#UCL pic.twitter.com/WH9s47Qkin
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 3, 2022
23rd Min: Liverpool break through again as Jota races in behind the Villarreal back line but Raul Albiol recovers superbly to snuff out the danger.
15th Min: More positive play from Liverpool as a loose ball bounces kindly for Naby Keita and his drive clips the top of the crossbar………but the offside flag goes up!!
What a time for Boulaye Dia to score his first-ever Champions League goal!
This tie just got a little bit more interesting 👀#UCL pic.twitter.com/q6cxCBQtmb
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 3, 2022
9th Min: Liverpool are slowly beginning to ease their way into the contest as Diogo Jota scuffs wide from Andy Robertson’s low free kick.
3rd Min: VILLLLLLLLARRREAALLLL TAKE THE LEAD
A DREAM start for Villarreal as Boulaye Dia hands them a 1-0 lead!!!!
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Boulaye Dia gets the opener! ⚽️
Villarreal have already halved their deficit in the third minute of the game! 😱
This tie IS NOT over! 👊#UCL pic.twitter.com/fKUIE4JZ7F
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 3, 2022
Giovani Lo Celso’s cross is recycled back into the box by Pervis Estupinan and Dia pokes home past Alisson!!!
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VILLARREAL INSIDE 3 MINUTES. 😳
What a time for Boulaye Dia to score his first #UCL goal! 💥 pic.twitter.com/k73ozw98zL
— CBS Sports Golazo ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) May 3, 2022
WOW!
#UCL | 1-0 ⏱ 3′ | ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOL! ¡GOOOOOOOOL DEEEEE DIAAA! pic.twitter.com/oJ5qrlpp4Q
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) May 3, 2022
KICK OFF!!!
Liverpool get the game underway!!!
5 Mins to KO: Moreno is the key for Villarreal
Can Moreno inspire Villarreal to the final?
17 – Gerard Moreno 🇪🇸 has been involved 17 goals in his last 16 games in European competitions for @VillarrealCFen (ten goals & seven assists).#UEL : 7 goals & 3 assists#UEFA Supercup: 1 goal#UCL : 2 goals & 4 assists
Return#VillarrealLiverpool 💛💛#ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/Ond1bsAIqV
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) May 3, 2022
20 Mins to KO: Villarreal will be hoping to spring a shock
Former Arsenal star Robert Pires played on that famous night against Villarreal – both later joining the Yellow Submarine – and he believes Liverpool will be in for a battle right from the start tonight!!
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👨🏫
Arsène Wenger shares his memories of Arsenal’s famous 0-0 Champions League semi-final second leg draw with Villarreal in 2006 and offers some tactical advice for Liverpool! #beINUCL #UCL #VILLIV
Watch Now 👉 https://t.co/NRYe31nXnO pic.twitter.com/4Lnq8STrvl
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) May 3, 2022
35 Mins to KO: Can Villarreal go one better than 2006?
Villarreal’s only previous Champions League semi final came in 2006 as Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal drew 0-0 in the second leg in Castellon to progress to the final with a 1-0 aggregate win. Can Emery rewrite history tonight?
👨🏫
Arsène Wenger shares his memories of Arsenal’s famous 0-0 Champions League semi-final second leg draw with Villarreal in 2006 and offers some tactical advice for Liverpool! #beINUCL #UCL #VILLIV
Watch Now 👉 https://t.co/NRYe31nXnO pic.twitter.com/4Lnq8STrvl
— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS_EN) May 3, 2022
45 Mins to KO: The Rain in Spain
Torrential rain in the Castellon area has continued all day with the poor weather set to continue right up until KO at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Bucketing down in Villarreal again pic.twitter.com/n9n2uHk60g
— Miguel Delaney (@MiguelDelaney) May 3, 2022
55 Mins to KO: Moreno returns for Villarreal
A bold starting side for Emery on the night in Castellon as Spain international Gerard Moreno returns to lead the hosts attack. He replaces Arnaut Danjuma, with Boulaye Dia preferred ahead of Samuel Chukwueze as his strike partner.
¡Nuestro 1️⃣1️⃣ inicial para el partidazo histórico ante el Liverpool!#UCL pic.twitter.com/mfvZtviHtr
— Villarreal CF (@VillarrealCF) May 3, 2022
1 hour to KO: TEAM NEWS IS IN!!!!
The BIG GUNS are back for Klopp following a raft of changes for their 2-0 Premier League win over Newcastle. Two alterations from the first leg win at Anfield with Naby Keita and Diogo Jota in for skipper Jordan Henderson and Luis Diaz.
⭐ TEAM NEWS ⭐
The Reds to face @VillarrealCF tonight in the #UCL semi-final second leg! #VILLIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 3, 2022
1 hour 40 mins to KO: Just over 90 minutes until KO on a HUGE night at the Estadio de la Ceramica
The stage is set 🏟#UCL | #VILLIV pic.twitter.com/dDTZMKP2aC
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 3, 2022
2 hours to KO: Welcome to The Sporting News’ live coverage of Liverpool’s second-leg trip to Villarreal, with a place in Paris on the line. Home boss Unai Emery wants perfection from Villarreal:
🎙 @UnaiEmery_ 🎙#UCL pic.twitter.com/y9KQ6hK0CZ
— Villarreal CF English (@VillarrealCFen) May 3, 2022
How to watch Liverpool vs. Villarreal
| UK | USA | Canada | Australia | |
| Date | May 3 | May 3 | May 3 | May 4 |
| Time | 20:00 BST | 15:00 ET | 15:00 ET | 05:00 AET |
| TV channel | BT Sport 2 | CBS | DAZN | Stan Sport |
| Streaming | BT Sport | Paramount+ | DAZN | Stan Sport |
In the US, Spanish-language coverage of the Champions League is also available on fuboTV, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
In Canada, every Champions League game streams live on DAZN.