Real Sociedad 2-2 Villarreal: Yellow Submarine advances to quarterfinals

Forget trying to play for a scoreless draw.   Villarreal scored first and though Real Sociedad came back to equalize twice, it's the Submarine who find themselves in the final eight of the Copa del Rey for the first time in four years.

Although in the first ten minutes or so the home side attacked more than they had in the entire 90 miniutes at El Madrigal, it was Villarreal who drew first blood, Gerard Moreno scoring off a 3-on-3.  It was quite a goal, Gerard receiving the pass, feinting to create room for his shot around two defenders, and lashing a left-footed curler just inside the far post.

However, just before halftime Carlos Vela scored off a corner and subsequent Asenjo save, so it was 1-1 at the break.

The second half was if anything more wide open than the first, but again it was Villarreal who scored first with 17 minutes to go, Gio dos Santos breaking his goal-scoring duck with a fine first-time touch after Gerard had headed a throw forward and Rukavina had touched it into the Mexican's path.

Yet again, though, the Submarine couldn't stand prosperity, though to be fair this goal was even more of a golazo than Gerard's, a tremendous hit from Esteban Granero.

La Real had a great chance to score a third in the 80th minute, but Finnbogason was ruled offside; David Moyes was told to leave the technical area after protesting, so he just climbed into the stands, sat down with the fans, accepted some snacks from fans, and watched the match!  Had to love that.

Two minutes later Mateo Musacchio received a second yellow, which was as questionable as his first, and so Villarreal had to play a man down.  Fortunately Rukavina had already come on for Nahuel, so we at least had four defenders on the pitch, as we had no subs left.

All was in line for a grandstand finish, but to be honest La Real didn't really take advantage of the extra man very well; the best chance anyone had to score came shortly after Musacchio's expulsion, when Gio couldn't control a perfect pass from Gerard with the keeper scrambling.

Villarreal survived three minutes of injury time without incident, and booked their place to the quarterfinals, where they will face Getafe.  Certainly a beatable opponent on paper, but you still have to play the games!!

Endavant Villarreal!!

UPDATE: Highlights here (note that you have to click on the box at the bottom right to get these full-screen, otherwise they look rather strange)