Villarreal vs Liverpool LIVE: Champions League result and final score after Luis Diaz turns semi-final around
Villarreal 2-3 Liverpool (Liverpool win 5-2 on aggregate): Follow for live reaction from a thrilling night in the Champions League as the Reds progressed to the final
Follow live reaction as Liverpool progressed to the Champions League final after seeing off a thrilling comeback from Villarreal thanks to second-half goals from Fabinho, Luis Diaz and Sadio Mane.
The noise in El Madrigal before kick-off ensured it would be an intimidating atmosphere for Liverpool, who led 2-0 after last week’s first leg at Anfield, and an early goal from Boulaye Dia inside three minutes gave Villarreal a perfect start.
Liverpool were sloppy in what was their poorest first half of the season and when Francis Coquelin’s header levelled the tie shortly before the break it was no less than Villarreal deserved.
But it was all change after half-time, with Diaz making an impact from the bench. Fabinho fired between goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli’s legs to put the Reds ahead once again, before Diaz scored a header from close range to restore Liverpool’s two-goal lead.
Mane confirmed the win as he went round the goalkeeper to score Liverpool’s third goal in 12 minutes, which keeps Jurgen Klopp’s hopes of an unprecedented quadruple alive.
Liverpool will play either Manchester City or Real Madrid in the Paris final on May 28. Relive the action from a dramatic Champions League semi-final below.
GOAL! Villarreal 2 - 1 Liverpool (2-3 agg) - Fabinho, 62'⚽️
62 mins: Liverpool get their goal! They’re back in front in this tie. Fabinho drives through the middle of the pitch and lays the ball off to Mo Salah. Salah draws Estupinan out of position and slides the ball into the box for Fabinho. He’s got a fairly tight angle from which to score but blasts hist shot at goal. Geronimo Rulli tries to keep it out but it goes through the goalkeeper’s legs and crosses the line!
Villarreal 2 - 0 Liverpool (2-2 agg)
60 mins: The Liverpool fans will be starting to relax - just a touch - as their team begins to take hold of the game. Keita floats a cross into the box that Pau Torres wins ahead of Mo Salah. Raul Albiol completes the clearance but sends the ball back to Liverpool.
Villarreal 2 - 0 Liverpool (2-2 agg)
57 mins: Sadio Mane gets the ball into the box and chips it over to Luis Diaz. He tries to score with a spectacular volley but hoofs it miles over the crossbar.
Liverpool are starting to create more chances on the Villarreal goal.
Villarreal 2 - 0 Liverpool (2-2 agg)
54 mins: Foyth arrives late when attempting to tackle Thiago and gives Liverpool a free kick. It comes across to Alexander-Arnold who belts one at goal from range and the shot gets deflected. It loops up and lands on the top of the crossbar!
Liverpool corner.
Villarreal 2 - 0 Liverpool (2-2 agg)
51 mins: Fabinho clips Parejo and brings him down inside Villarreal’s half. They fire it long and Alexander-Arnold knocks it over to Keita. He goes backwards and invites the Villarreal players to push high up the pitch as they look to close down the ball.
Villarreal 2 - 0 Liverpool (2-2 agg)
48 mins: Luis Diaz’s first real involvement sees him drive at Juan Foyth and immediately put the defender under pressure. Diaz overruns the ball though and Foyth manages to turn it away from his own penalty area. That’s more encouraging for Liverpool.
Second half: Villarreal 2 - 0 Liverpool (2-2 agg)
Kick off: Jurgen Klopp makes a change at half-time and brings on Luis Diaz to replace Diogo Jota. Jordan Henderson was also warming up but is still on the bench for now.
Villarreal get the match back underway.
Villarreal 2 - 0 Liverpool (2-2 agg)
Villarreal have never lost a home match in the Champions League knockout stages before (two wins, five draws).
However, they’ve also never managed to score more than once in any of these seven games.
Villarreal 2 - 0 Liverpool (2-2 agg)
Boulaye Dia’s goal after 2 minutes and 51 seconds is the earliest Liverpool have conceded in the Champions League since April 2018 (01:57 vs Manchester City).
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