Villarreal Salvage Win Against Arsenal, As Manchester United Rout Roma
Two first-half goals from Diego Trigueros and Raul Albiol were all the Yellow Submarines of Villarreal Football Club of Spain needed to salvage a 2-1 victory over Arsenal Football Club of England.
Though Nicholas Pepe pulled one back for Arsenal from the penalty spot to brighten the London Club hope of getting to the final of the UEFA Europa League in the second leg next week Thursday at the Emirates Stadium, London, England.
Coach Mikel Arteta of Arsenal started the game without a natural striker, with team Captain, Pierre Emerick Aubameyang started from the bench, while Alexander Lacazette could not make the trip to Spain due to injury.
From the blast of the whistle, the host, Villarreal, attacked the Londoners, scoring in the Fifth minute and adding another in the 30th minute.
The Arsenal team was reduced to 10-man, as Dani Ceballos was shown a second Yellow for stamping on the foot of its opponent.
The numerical advantage could metamorphose into a needed third goal, rather, Arsenal got an away goal.
Teenage sensation, Bukayo Saka was brought down in the penalty box, and the resulting kick was converted by Pepe.
The Villarreal team was also reduced to 10-man as Etienne Capoue was shown a second Yellow card for fouling Saka.
With the team equal numerically, substitute, Aubameyang could have scored a late gasp equalizer but was denied by the Villarreal within the stick.
Arsenal needs an outright win against Villarreal in the second leg to have any hope of playing in Europe next season.
In the other semi-final fixture, Manchester United Football Club came from 2-1 down at the half to annihilate Italian Club Side, AS Roma, 6-2.
A brace from Edinson Cavani, Bruno Fernandes, and goals from Paul Pogba and Mason Greenwood was all that the Red Devils as Manchester United are called needed to take a four-goal advantage to Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy.
Roma took the lead in the first half courtesy of goals from Edin Dzeko and Mario Pellegrini, but, will need to score four goals to oust their visitor in the reverse fixture next week.
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