Villarreal overruns Real Sociedad to move into third place in La Liga

By: The Associated Press Posted:

Advertisement

Advertise with us

VILLARREAL, Spain (AP) — Villarreal beat Real Sociedad 3-1 and completed its first La Liga double over the Basque side since 2016-17 on Friday.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/03/2026 (199 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VILLARREAL, Spain (AP) — Villarreal beat Real Sociedad 3-1 and completed its first La Liga double over the Basque side since 2016-17 on Friday.

All of Villarreal’s goals came in a busy first half.

Gerard Moreno got the opener with a header after seven minutes, and eight minutes later Georges Mikautadze tapped in a second following good work from midfield by Alberto Moleiro.

Nicolas Pépé made it 3-0 midway through the first half when he strode forward and his deflected shot crept past goalkeeper Alex Remiro.

Luka Sučić pulled a goal back for Sociedad in the first minute of the second half but the visitor could not mount a comeback. It remained in seventh place after missing a chance to go equal on points with the team above it, Celta Vigo.

Villarreal, meanwhile, moved into third, a point above Atletico Madrid. Atletico’s game in hand is on Sunday at archrival Real Madrid.

The win was Villarreal’s 12th in 15 games at Estadio de la Ceramica this season, with the only defeats coming at the hands of Real Madrid and Barcelona.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Related Articles

Roman Celentano replaced Patrick Schulte on US roster for friendlies against Belgium and Portugal
FC Cincinnati goalkeeper Evan Louro starts in place of injured goalkeeper Roman Celentano during the first half of an MLS soccer match against CF Montréal, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
Seattle's Andrew Thomas, Minnesota United's Drake Callender duel to 0-0 draw Lionel Messi, Micael dos Santos spark Inter Miami to come-from-behind 3-2 victory over NYCFC
New York City FC's Maximiliano Moralez, left, moves the ball up the field during the first half of an MLS soccer game against Inter Miami at Yankee Stadium in New York, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Tom Barlow, Kévin Denkey rally Cincinnati to 4-3 victory over Montreal
FC Cincinnati forward Kevin Denkey, center, celebrates after a win in an MLS soccer match against CF Montréal, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar)
Tottenham coach Igor Tudor misses media duties because of family bereavement
Tottenham's coach Igor Tudor gestures during the English Premier League soccer match between Tottenham Hotspur and Nottingham Forest in London, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Dave Shopland)
Cologne fires Lukas Kwasniok as coach after dropping next to Bundesliga relegation zone
Cologne's head coach Lukasz Kwasniok before the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1. FC Cologne and Borussia Moenchengladbach in Cologne, Germany, Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Marius Becker/dpa via AP)
Germany forward Deniz Undav extends Bundesliga scoring streak to 6 games for Stuttgart
Mainz' Paul Nebel, left, and Frankfurt's Jean-Matteo Bahoya, right, challenge for the ball during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FSV Mainz 05 and Eintracht Frankfurt in Mainz, Germany, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (Marc Schueler/dpa via AP)
Akliouche shines as resurgent Monaco beats slumping Lyon and Lille wins at Marseille Vinícius scores twice to lead Real Madrid to a pulsating 3-2 win over Atletico in La Liga
Barcelona's Ronald Araujo celebrates after scoring during a La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Rayo Vallecano in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, March 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
Inter's Serie A lead is down to 6 points after 1-1 draw at Fiorentina
Como's Assane Diao, right, scores their side's first goal of the game during the Serie A soccer match between Como and Pisa in Como, Italy, Sunday March 22, 2026. (Antonio Saia/LaPresse via AP)
Man City dominates Arsenal to win English League Cup and make statement in Premier League title race
Sunderland's Brian Brobbey celebrates scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Premier League match between Newcastle and Sunderland outside St James' Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, Sunday March 22, 2026. (Owen Humphreys/PA via AP)

Advertisement Advertise With Us

Report Error Submit a Tip

Advertisement

Learn more about Winnipeg Free Press Advertising solutions

Soccer

LOAD SOCCER ARTICLES