Napoli took an early lead against Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica when defender Amir Rrahmani found space to score in the eighth minute. The goal threatened to deepen Villarreal’s Champions League struggles, as they had lost seven consecutive matches since October 2025.
Just 14 minutes later, Napoli nearly doubled their advantage when Rasmus Hojlund’s header struck the crossbar. Moments after that miss, Villarreal responded. Georges Mikautadze pounced on an underhit backpass from Matteo Politano to draw Villarreal level with his first Champions League goal of the season.
The comeback continued swiftly. In the 25th minute, Uruguay midfielder Santiago Mourino fired a shot from distance past Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic to put Villarreal ahead. The La Liga side, who had opened their campaign with a narrow 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, appeared to have turned the tide.
Villarreal’s substitute Tani Oluwaseyi sealed the victory with a composed finish inside the area four minutes from time. The 3-1 win ended Villarreal’s losing streak in the competition, their first Champions League victory in eight matches.
Villarreal’s previous run included seven straight defeats following a 2-2 draw with Juventus in October 2025. The loss to Dortmund on the opening matchday had left them on the brink of becoming the first Spanish club to lose eight consecutive European matches.
The win lifts some pressure off Villarreal as they prepare to travel to Liverpool on 20 October for their next Champions League fixture, scheduled for 20:00 BST. Napoli remain at home to face Bodo/Glimt at the same time.
Villarreal’s recovery after conceding early and surviving a near second goal from Napoli reflects a shift in their Champions League campaign. The club now has a chance to avoid the ignominy of an eight-match losing streak and build momentum heading into the group’s next fixtures.
According to Joy Online.
