A giant-killing in consecutive rounds means Villarreal are through to the UEFA Champions League semifinals. The UEFA Europa League holders knocked Bayern Munich out of the competition, just as they did Juventus in the Round od 16.
The Yellow Submarine sunk the Bavarians 2-1 on aggregate, courtesy of an early goal from Arnaut Danjuma in the first leg and a late one from Samuel Chukwueze in the second.
Bayern outshot Villarreal 23-4 on the night and hoarded more than twice as much possession – a dynamic that became clear mere minutes after kick-off. The Bavarians took no time to settle into their stride as they came out of the blocks rapidly, but a lack of ruthlessness in front of the goal meant that the two sides went into the break level on scores.
Furthermore, despite all of their efforts, it was Emery’s team that had the best opportunities to take the lead – late in the first half. First, through Danjuma, who raced clear of the Bayern backline in the 41st minute before dragging his shot wide, and then, through Gerard Moreno, who hit the side-netting from close range.
Nonetheless, Bayern’s pressure paid off in the 52nd minute when talisman Robert Lewandowski put them ahead. The forward collected the ball on the edge of the box from Thomas Muller and, seeing goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli off his line, slid it into the corner.
The Bavarians piled forward in search of the goal that would put them ahead on aggregate, using the outside channels for the final ball inside the box. Muller missed a glaring opportunity in the 71st minute to do the same when he headed a cross from Leroy Sane off target from close range.
Villarreal scored what would be the tie-deciding goal in the 88th minute, sparking wild celebrations in the away end and by the touchline. Tottenham loanee Giovani Lo Celso collected the ball from Dani Parejo, held off a challenge from Kingsley Coman, and released Moreno beyond the Bayern backline.
The Spaniard squared the ball for Chukwueze, who opened his body up and slammed it into the ground and then the net. Emery’s men held on for the two minutes plus additional time that remained – completing a memorable European conquest.
