Villarreal ended a seven-match losing streak in the Champions League with a 3-1 comeback victory over Napoli at the Estadio de la Ceramica, fueled by Santiago Mourino’s long-range strike and goals from Georges Mikautadze and Tani Oluwaseyi.
Villarreal’s 3-1 victory over Napoli at the Estadio de la Ceramica marked their first Champions League win in eight matches. This ended a seven-game losing streak in the competition. The Spanish side overcame an early deficit. Napoli’s Amir Rrahmani opened the scoring in the eighth minute. Villarreal’s Georges Mikautadze equalized, and Santiago Mourino’s 30-yard strike turned the tide.
Napoli Open Lead, Villarreal Turn Tide
Napoli started strongly, capitalizing on a defensive error to take the lead when Rrahmani converted a rebound after Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior saved his initial effort. The visitors nearly extended their advantage when Rasmus Hojlund’s header struck the crossbar. Villarreal responded swiftly. Mikautadze capitalized on a misplaced backpass from Matteo Politano to level the score in the 23rd minute. This sparked a surge of momentum for the hosts. Scott McTominay inexplicably headed wide from close range despite being left completely unmarked.
The turning point came in the 26th minute when Mourino unleashed a stunning long-range shot that flew past Napoli goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic. The goal sent the home crowd into a frenzy. It shifted the match’s dynamics. Napoli struggled to respond. Villarreal’s defense, supported by Pape Gueye in midfield, held firm. Substitute Tani Oluwaseyi sealed the win in the 86th minute with a composed finish. Ayoze Perez failed to control the ball. This allowed Oluwaseyi to collect possession before firing an unstoppable left-footed shot into the net.
Villarreal’s Streak Ends, Upcoming Fixtures Loom
The win ended Villarreal’s run of seven consecutive European defeats since a 2-2 draw with Juventus in October 2025. For Napoli, the loss extended their struggles in Spain. They have only one win in their last 10 visits to the country. Both teams face crucial fixtures ahead. Villarreal travels to Liverpool on 20 October. Napoli hosts Bodo/Glimt the same day. The match highlighted Villarreal’s resilience. They scored three goals despite creating fewer chances than Napoli.
Napoli’s starting lineup included Scott McTominay, who struggled to break down Villarreal’s defense. The Italian side’s early lead was undone by defensive lapses. A misplaced backpass from Politano led to Mikautadze’s equalizer. Napoli’s urgency in the second half led to missed opportunities. Rrahmani’s off-balance shot inside the penalty area drifted wide. Rasmus Hojlund’s incisive run in the final 10 minutes was denied by a crucial save from Luiz Junior.
Villarreal’s victory provided a significant boost after they opened their European campaign with defeat by Borussia Dortmund. The team’s efficiency in front of goal—scoring three times despite limited chances—demonstrated their growing confidence. The result also highlighted the importance of key moments. Villarreal capitalized on Napoli’s errors to secure their first Champions League win of the season.