Controversial Penalty Secures Draw for Villarreal against Osasuna

Villarreal secured a late 2-2 draw against Osasuna with a contentious penalty decision in the final minutes of the match. The result was secured through a penalty taken by Gerard Moreno, raising significant debate among fans and players.

The match, held at El Sadar Stadium on November 24, 2024, saw Osasuna take an early lead with two goals scored by Ante Budimir. He found the net first in the 7th minute with a header following an accurate assist from Rubén García. Just minutes later, a penalty was awarded to Osasuna after Villarreal’s Raúl Albiol fouled Budimir inside the box, allowing the Croatian striker to score his second goal after the referee consulted VAR.

Villarreal, struggling due to significant player injuries, faced a steep challenge. However, they regained momentum in the second half. Álex Baena narrowed the deficit to 2-1 in the 66th minute with a keenly executed goal.

The match’s defining moment came in added time when Lucas Torró was penalized for a foul on Alfonso Pedraza from Villarreal during a corner, a decision regarded as excessive by many in attendance. Gerard Moreno stepped up to convert the penalty, his first goal in ten months, leveling the game at 2-2. «It’s been a long time since I’ve scored, but for me, that was the least of my concerns. There’s been a lot of struggle,» Moreno commented afterward, visibly emotional.

The game saw considerable tension, with players and fans expressing their dissatisfaction with officiating led by José Luis Munuera Montero. The visitors’ performance was also marred by several bookings, reflecting the match’s intense and contested nature.

Osasuna missed a crucial opportunity to solidify their strong position at home, a ground where only Real Betis had managed to secure a victory this season. The draw leaves Osasuna and Villarreal narrowly separated in the league standings, with both teams eyeing spots that could secure them European competition next season.