The Estadio de la Cerámica came alive on August 15, 2025, for the opening day of La Liga. Villarreal secured a convincing 2-0 win over Real Oviedo, powered by standout performances from their African stars. Cameroonian forward Karl Etta Eyong opened the scoring with a powerful header in the 28th minute, followed by a stunning strike from Senegal’s Pape Gueye in the 36th, assisted by Nicolas Pépé from Ivory Coast.
Villarreal dominated possession with 63%, showcasing fluid midfield control. Ghana’s Thomas Partey brought balance after coming on in the second half, while Moroccan winger Ilias Akhomach added pace and creativity. The Gueye-Pépé duo proved lethal, generating multiple scoring chances.
On the Oviedo side, Logan Costa (Cape Verde) and Kwasi Sibo (Ghana) worked hard but couldn’t break Villarreal’s defense. Moroccan midfielder Ilyas Chaira tried to spark the attack, yet was stifled by Villarreal’s compact setup. Nigerian defender Rahim Alhassane conceded the corner that led to the opening goal.
This match highlighted the growing influence of African talent in La Liga. Villarreal starts the season strong, while Real Oviedo will need tactical adjustments to bounce back next week.
