With the scores level at 120 minutes following goals from Hakim Ziyech and Gerard Moreno in normal time, Kepa replaced Edouard Mendy in the final moments of extra time specifically for the shootout – and it proved the right call from Thomas Tuchel as the Spaniard proved decisive.
Browsing: Villarreal
Villarreal were surprise winners of the UEFA Europa League last term, but the Spanish side is looking to build on their success and will use this clash against continental champions Chelsea as a yard-stick to measure their progress ahead of competing in the UEFA Champions League this term.
The 22-year-old has scored 17 goals and registered 17 assists in 119 appearances for the Yellow Submarine since making his debut in 2018.
It had been suggested that the game between Chelsea and Villarreal could be switched to Istanbul in compensation for the Champions League final being moved from the Turkish city to Porto due to coronavirus restrictions.
With neither side able to find the winner after extra-time, the game headed to penalties in front of 9,500 fans at the Stadion Miejsk in Gdansk
Unai Emery steered the Yellow Submarine to their first ever major final after edging past Premier League side Arsenal in the last four.
The first leg of this semi-final clash appeared to be getting away from the Gunners as first-half goals from Manuel Trigueros and Raul Albiol preceded a Dani Ceballos red card just before the hour.
The Nigeria international will compete with Barcelona captain Lionel Messi, Real Madrid’s Thibaut Courtois, and Atletico Madrid’s Angel Correa for the individual accolade.
Unai Emery will face his former side on Thursday for the first time since being sacked in December 2019 – and replaced by current manager Mikel Arteta.
The victory took the Yellow Submarine to 49 points in the Spanish top-flight and kept alive their hopes of finishing in the European places.
The Gunners have found a bit of momentum at a key point in the season, whereas Fulham have lost four league games in a row and are heading for relegation.
They will meet a familiar face there.
However, the 31-year-old will continue his career in MLS with Orlando, who fell to New England Revolution in the Eastern Conference semifinals last season.
Chukwueze, who was been out injured, received treatment for discomfort in his groin.
It was earlier revealed that the likes of Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers, Leicester City, and Everton are also interested in the talent.
The 21-year-old Nigeria international has most recently been linked by reports from La Razon with a move to Spanish titans Real Madrid, but the Toffees are also listed among a host of other suitors.
The 21-year-old has established himself as a regular member of the Villarreal first team in recent seasons, making 37 La Liga appearances in 2019-20 and featuring in all but one of their matches so far this term.
The details are outlined by Marca, who say he will be out of this weekend’s La Liga clash against Villarreal and will not be able to feature until he returns a negative test.
Looking at the current La Liga table, Real Sociedad, Villarreal and Atlético Madrid occupy first, second and third place respectively.
Barcelona and Real Madrid have been dominating La Liga for quite some time and their early form suggests that they will continue doing so this season.