Yerson Mosquera contributed with a goal to Villarreal’s 3-1 victory over Olympique de Marseille, which was not enough to qualify for the next round due to the 4-0 loss in the first leg – credit Pablo Morano/Reuters
The round of 16 of the Europa League revealed an outstanding schedule of matches to decide the eight qualifiers for the next round. In the absence of Óscar Cortés due to injury in the Scottish Rangers’ narrow defeat against Benfica, the standout in the first matches of the day was defender Yerson Mosquera.
After announcing his call-up to the Colombian national team for the friendly games against Spain and Romania on the next FIFA date, the former Atlético Nacional started Villarreal’s second leg against Olympique de Marseille from the bench, in the game played at the stadium in The ceramic.
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To begin with, those led by Marcelino García faced a complex task, after losing 4-0 on their visit to the Vélodrome stadium in the first leg. But appealing to their European experience and the attacking talent of their trident made up of Gerard Moreno, Alexander Sørloth and Gonzalo Guedes, from the opening whistle they came out with the full conviction that they could reverse the result.
The options followed one after another, constantly demanding goalkeeper Pau López and forcing the visitors to try to stop them with fouls. At 32 minutes came the first goal from midfielder Étienne Capoue, entering the area to head into Kiko Femenía’s pass and leaving the goalkeeper with no options. The Yellow Submarine had more options throughout the first 45 minutes with a particularly inspired Capoue, but the scoreboard did not move any further.
Etienne Capoue was the great figure for Villarreal, especially during the first half – credit Pablo Morano/Reuters
In the complementary part the script was maintained, this time exploiting the centers more when noticing that the Marseille defense had no answer for them. Although the French team sought to respond to that siege by bringing in Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, that did not stop the locals from continuing to besiege Pau López’s goal.
At 51 minutes Yerson Mosquera entered the field of play to replace the Ivorian Eric Bailly who reported physical problems. Just two minutes later came Villareal’s second goal through Sørloth after receiving a pass from Guedes. The Norwegian unleashed a strong shot that slipped through López’s right vertical, further fueling the hope of a comeback.
Alexander Sorloth made it 2-0 for Villarreal – credit Pablo Morano/Reuters
However, and despite the fact that the Submarine continued to focus on the attack, between inaccuracy and bad luck they played against them in the definition. Added to this, the entry of Aubameyang and his connections with Geoffrey Kondogbia balanced the balance. That did not stop Villarreal from continuing to search for the miracle, and at 75 Mosquera warned again by air, but his header was cleared by Pau López.
Finally, in the 85th minute, the Colombian headed a cross from the right by Álex Baena with which he beat Pau López. In this way, he lit up the stands of the La Cerámica stadium that roared asking for one more goal that would allow them to equalize the series.
With the local team completely focused on the attack, Marseille was still looking for the calming goal against Villarreal’s constant attacks, and found it in stoppage time, after an overflow on the left by its most dangerous man in attack, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang. The Gabonese surpassed the Submarine defenders in speed and sent a lethal pass to the center that Jonathan Clauss finished off into an empty goal to declare the final 3-1, and the classification of the French team to the quarterfinals.
Despite staying on the edge of the comeback, the local fans said goodbye to their players with applause, and now Mosquera is preparing to join the orders of Néstor Lorenzo for the next games of the Colombian team.