VAR controversy fuels Espanyol fury in Villarreal drubbing
Espanyol's disallowed goal sparks outrage as their winless 2026 run continues with a comprehensive defeat to Marcelino's Villarreal side.
Another week, another VAR controversy in La Liga as Espanyol’s dismal run of form continues with a comprehensive defeat against a superior Villarreal side.
Disallowed goal sparks outrage
The Pericos’ frustrations boiled over early in the match when Omar El Hilali thought he’d given them the lead in the 12th minute. The youngster reacted quickest to a loose ball in the box and finished smartly, only for referee Cordero Vega to chalk it off for a supposed foul by Roberto Fernández in the build-up.
Despite the perfect opportunity for VAR to intervene and correct what appeared to be a phantom foul call, the technology remained silent. Replays showed only minimal contact between Roberto Fernández and Cardona, with the Villarreal defender making a proper meal of it before hitting the deck.
The decision left Espanyol absolutely fuming, and you can understand why. When your luck’s down, these calls never seem to go your way, do they?
Winless in 2026
The disallowed goal set the tone for another miserable afternoon for Manolo González’s men. Their form has gone right down the khazi since the turn of the year:
- Five defeats in their last six league matches
- Still searching for their first win of 2026
- Comprehensively outplayed by Marcelino’s well-drilled Villarreal
To add insult to injury, Espanyol players were also incensed about a potential foul by Pape Gueye in the build-up to Villarreal’s second goal, but once again their protests fell on deaf ears.
Social media fury
The club didn’t hold back at half-time, taking to social media to express their frustration with recent officiating decisions that have gone against them. By that point, though, the damage was already done.
The second half saw Villarreal turn the screw, with the hosts running away with the game and inflicting a proper hammering on the struggling visitors. González’s side looked completely outmatched as they slumped to yet another defeat.
The Pericos now face a real battle to turn their form around, with confidence seemingly at rock bottom and decisions continuing to go against them at crucial moments.