ADELAIDE: Spanish La Liga side Villarreal fought back from two goals down to beat Australian A-League team Adelaide United 3-2 in an international club friendly in Adelaide today.
Winger Craig Goodwin and defender Michael Marrone put the Reds ahead before Villarreal’s Manu Trigueros, Luciano Vietto and Gerard hit back.
Villarreal dominated early, controlling possession, but fell behind 2-0.
Mexican forward Giovani dos Santos hit the post in the 27th minute amid sustained attacking pressure from Villarreal, only for Adelaide’s Spanish import Sergio Cirio to make a fast break to set up the opening goal on the counter for Goodwin.
Reds defender Marrone doubled the home side’s lead in the 50th minute, getting on the end of a Goodwin corner to head home from close range.
But Villarreal, despite making half a dozen changes to their line-up, struck back through Trigueros in the 63rd minute when he pounced on a block from goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic save and found the net.
The Spaniards equalised 23 minutes later when a superb cross was met by Vietto, who found space between defenders to nod home.
In the 91st minute, Vietto back-heeled Gerard on goal and he slickly finished.
Villarreal have another match in Australia against Brisbane Roar in Brisbane on Wednesday.--AFP