The RCDE Stadium witnessed a moment of poignant drama on Saturday night as Gerard Moreno, the former Espanyol player, returned to haunt his old club, scoring the opening goal in Villarreal's 2-0 victory. The goal, scored in the 43rd minute, was Moreno's first ever against Espanyol, the team where his career began. Alberto Moleiro added a second for Villarreal in the 57th minute, sealing the win.
Moreno's goal was a deflected shot from outside the box that grazed Espanyol defender Salinas, wrong-footing goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic. In a gesture of respect and apology, Moreno raised his arms to the Espanyol fans, who had cheered his name before the match. Despite the goal coming at their expense, the Espanyol faithful acknowledged Moreno's connection to their club.
The game itself was a tightly contested affair, with both sides initially hesitant to take risks. Espanyol, playing in front of nearly 30,000 fans, showed promise early on, but Villarreal's counter-attacking threat proved decisive. Villarreal's win propelled them to second place in La Liga, their highest point total at this stage of the season since 2010/11. Espanyol, meanwhile, remained in sixth position.
Moreno's return to form has been a significant boost for Villarreal. After a start to the 2025/2026 season hampered by injuries, the veteran striker has found his scoring touch. His tactical intelligence, playmaking ability, and leadership on the pitch are invaluable to the "Yellow Submarine".
Espanyol coach Manolo González, who mentored Moreno during his time at Badalona, made several changes to the starting lineup in an attempt to revitalize the team. However, they were unable to break down a well-organized Villarreal defense.
The match also highlighted the contrasting styles of the two teams. Espanyol, known for their solid defense at home, struggled to penetrate Villarreal's counter-attacking setup. Villarreal, on the other hand, were clinical in exploiting Espanyol's defensive vulnerabilities.
The final whistle was met with mixed emotions. Villarreal celebrated a crucial victory, while Espanyol fans, despite the defeat, showed their appreciation for Gerard Moreno as he left the pitch. The silence that followed Moreno's goal was broken by applause, a testament to the enduring respect between a player and his former club.
