After a difficult match in Denmark and a frustrating first 45 minutes at El Madrigal, Villarreal are through to the group stages of the UEFA Champions League after a fantastic second half performance in the second leg of the tie. The Yellow Submarine scored three times in 45 minutes to take control, flipping the 1-0 loss in Denmark into a 3-1 aggregate victory. Giuseppe Rossi was the star of the show, but the entire team was very good in the second half and the win isn't just on one man.
Villarreal Vs. Odense, UEFA Champions League: Full Time, Giuseppe Rossi Brilliant As Yellow Submarine Advance
The opener was scored just five minutes into the second half and was netted by Rossi, tying up the series on aggregate. From that point on, Villarreal appeared much more loose and confident, having gotten the proverbial monkey off their back. Rossi added a second on a gorgeous assist by Cani in the 66th minute, giving Villarreal the lead. After that, things got a bit ugly.
Odense were always going to struggle to get back into the match, but their task was made nearly impossible in the 71st minute when forward Bashkim Kadrii was the victim of a rather suspect sending off. Borja Valero saw red for the Yellow Submarine five minutes later, but OB didn't quite manage to respond.
In the 82nd minute, substitute Carlos Marchena put the tie to bed with a third goal for Villarreal, aided by some questionable goalkeeping by Stefan Wessels, who had been brilliant up until that point. That goal sealed the deal, and Villarreal now await the fate of the group stage draw.
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