Liverpool beats Villarreal 3-2 to reach the Champions League final
Liverpool defeated Villarreal 3-2 in the second leg of the Champions League semi-final match at El Madrigal on May 4, 2022.
LUIS DIAZ of Liverpool FC celebrates a goal during the UEFA Champions League Semi Final Leg Two match between Villarreal and Liverpool FC at Estadio de la Ceramica.The win helped The Reds secure a place in the Champions League final with an aggregate 5-2 aggregate victory over Villarreal. It is the third time in five seasons Liverpool has made it to the Champions League final.
After a 2-0 loss in the first leg of the semi-final, Villarreal put forth a brilliant display at their home ground. However, their efforts weren't enough to overcome the English giants despite getting a 2-0 lead in the first half. Liverpool faltered in the first half but bounced back after half-time to claim a 3-2 win.
Fabinho in the 62nd minute, Luis Diaz in the 67th minute and Sadio Mane in the 74th minute were the goal scorers for Liverpool, while Boulaye Dia in the third minute and Francis Coquelin in the 41st minute scored for Villarreal.
Villarreal got themselves an early lead just three minutes into the match when Étienne Capoue, after finding the ball at the far post, sent it to Boulaye dia in the centre, who steered it into the net with ease. Francis Coquelin headed past Liverpool keeper Alisson Becker to tie the aggregate after receiving Étienne Capoue's second assist of the match. The first half ended with a 2-0 lead for Villarreal reigniting their Champions League title dreams.
The Reds bounced back in the second half with the substitution of Luis Diaz for Diogo Jota. Fabinho sent the ball into the net through the legs of Villarreal goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli, putting them back into the game. Luis Diaz netted the ball with a header on a well-placed cross from Trent Alexander-Arnold just five minutes later.
Sadio Mane sealed the victory for Liverpool, scoring their third goal with 15 minutes left on the clock. The match ended with Liverpool winning the game with 3-2 for the day and an aggregate of 5-2.
The modest club from a small Spanish city of just 50,000 ended their Champions League journey with a surprising semi-final appearance after ousting Bayern Munich and Juventus. They are currently at the seventh spot on the Spanish League charts and may not qualify for the Champions League anytime soon.
Liverpool will face either Real Madrid or Manchester City in the tournament's final match to be held at Stade de France on May 29.