Racing Santander vs Villarreal preview

Spain flag 2026/2027 La Liga, Spain
Campos de Sport de El Sardinero
La Liga
Racing SantanderRAC
2 – 2
VillarrealVIL
Full Time
Round 1 Regular Season
Andrés Martín - 21' (P)
Goal
|
Goal
Pape Gueye - 45'
Nicolas Pépé - 45+1'

CONTEXT

Racing Santander and Villarreal played out a 2-2 draw after both sides scored twice in the opening period to reach halftime level. Villarreal controlled 59 percent of possession yet managed only 0.9 expected goals while the hosts posted 2.03. The stronger side on paper could not turn territorial advantage into a winning margin as the contest finished level. A significant deviation affected Villarreal relative to pre-match positioning. No disciplinary incidents occurred to reshape the contest. The even halftime score carried into the second half without further goals. The result highlighted how possession metrics diverged from actual threat creation on the day.

TL;DR

  • Structural deviation: Villarreal showed a significant structural deviation from expected performance levels.
  • Efficiency shift: The efficiency shift remained in line with overall team outputs.
  • xG alignment: The final 2-2 result did not align with the xG differential.
  • Market alignment: The draw outcome proved aligned with market positioning.
  • xG expectations: Racing Santander surpassed xG expectations while Villarreal fell short.
  • Event impact: First-half scoring represented the primary event impact on the result.
  • Red card distortion: Zero red cards produced no distortion to the match dynamics.
No standings statistics available.
No head-to-head records found.
0.5+ goals: 85%
1.5+ goals: 70%
2.5+ goals: 50%
3.5+ goals: 25%
Confidence: High (≥8 matches)

Quality vs Volume

Home: xG 1.8, Shots 12, xG/Shot 0.15
Away: xG 1.5, Shots 14, xG/Shot 0.11

Open Play vs Set Play

Open Play: 65%
Set Play: 35%

Expected Points

TeamxPts
Home1.8
Away1.2
ℹ️ Methodology: Expected Goals (xG) measures shot quality
M. Sesma Espinosa
M. Sesma Espinosa
Referee • 25 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 30.32
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 4
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0.36
League Avg 0
I. Rodríguez Portela
I. Rodríguez Portela
1st Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
M. Martín-Consuegra Díaz
M. Martín-Consuegra Díaz
2nd Assistant • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
F. Román Román
F. Román Román
4th Official • 0 matches
Fouls / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Yellow Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Red Cards / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Penalties / Match
Referee 0
League Avg 0
Racing Santander J. López Menéndez
J. López Menéndez
VS
Villarreal I. Pérez Soto
I. Pérez Soto
0
Avg Points / Game (Last 100 Matches)
1.8
0 i
Avg Points / Game (Last 6 Matches)
1.67 i
Last 6 Opponents
Atlético de Madrid Rank: 89 W
Rayo Vallecano Rank: 81 L
Sevilla Rank: 77 L
Mallorca Rank: 79 D
Levante Rank: 77 W
Celta de Vigo Rank: 82 W
1
Head to Head (Wins - Draws - Losses)
1 - 0 - 0
0

Team Power Ranking

i
What is Power Ranking?
Power ranking is SportMonks' model-based team strength indicator. Historical input capped to 2 seasons.
35.46
86.31
0 (Weakest) 100 (Strongest)
Metric
Racing Santander
Villarreal
Power Score
35.46
86.31
League Position
5
4
Global Rank
127
33

Form Analysis Opponent-Weighted

Line chart of recent results (points/trend). Friendlies excluded by default. Hover for opponent, result, xG/xGA and power ranking — based on last 6 matches.

–
vs
Racing Santander — Opponent-weighted form score
Villarreal — Opponent-weighted form score
Win (3 pts) Draw (1 pt) Loss (0 pts) Racing Santander Villarreal

Heatmaps Ball coordinates

Attack and defence zones from ball position data. Filters: last 6 matches (overall/home/away), time period, competition.

–
vs

Racing Santander

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Villarreal

Left / Center / Right —
Opposition half density —
vs season average —

Possession Efficiency Possession-Adjusted

How effectively each team uses and defends their share of possession. Efficiency adjusted based on team possession percentage

Racing Santander ⚠ Proxy
vs
⚠ Proxy Villarreal
Attacking Efficiency
Higher is better
Attacking Efficiency
48.17
26.36
Defensive Efficiency
Lower is better
Defensive Efficiency
26.36
48.17
Combined Efficiency Index Z-score combining attacking and defensive possession-adjusted efficiency.
Positive = above league average.
Negative = below league average.
Formula: EfficiencyIndex = z(AttackEff) − z(DefenceEff)
-3 0 3
Racing Santander +2.18 Efficiency Index
vs
Villarreal -2.18 Efficiency Index
xG data unavailable for both teams. Values estimated using shots and dangerous attacks (proxy). Confidence: Medium.
Racing Santander
Villarreal
AttackEff = xG ÷ pos
DefenceEff = xGA ÷ (1−pos)

Set Pieces Efficiency Attack & Defence

Set-piece reliance and strength using expected metrics and actual outcomes for each team.

Racing Santander
vs
Villarreal
Created Set-piece attacking threat
Racing Santander Villarreal
Set-piece xG Share Share of total expected goals generated from set pieces. Higher = more set-piece reliant in attack.
58%
7%
Goals per Match Average set-piece goals scored per match.
1.00 0.00
vs Expected (xG) Goals scored minus set-piece xG. Positive = overperforming; Negative = underperforming expectations.
-0.17 vs -0.06
Conceded Set-piece defensive exposure
Racing Santander Villarreal
Set-piece xGA Share Share of total expected goals conceded from set pieces. Higher = more exposed to set pieces defensively.
7%
58%
Conceded per Match Average set-piece goals conceded per match.
0.00 1.00
vs Expected (xGA) Goals conceded minus set-piece xGA. Positive = conceding more than expected (bad); Negative = conceding less than expected (good).
-0.06 vs -0.17
Racing Santander
Villarreal
xG Share = set-piece xG ÷ total xG
vs Expected = goals − set-piece xG

Counter / Transition Attack & Defence

What happens in the 15 seconds immediately after possession changes hands — based on Last 6 matches.

–
Racing Santander
vs
Villarreal
Attack After Winning Possession transition → offence
Racing Santander Villarreal
Goals per Match Average goals scored within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Shots per Match Average shots taken within 15s of winning the ball per match. ↑ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Average dangerous attacks launched within 15s of winning possession per match. ↑ better
—
—
Transition Efficiency Index Composite score (0–1) of how efficiently this team attacks within 15s of winning the ball. Higher = more dangerous on transition. Higher = stronger on the counter
Racing Santander 0.31
Villarreal 0.17
Defence After Losing Possession loss → defensive exposure
Racing Santander Villarreal
Goals Conceded Average goals conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Shots Conceded Average shots conceded within 15s of losing the ball per match. ↓ better
—
—
Dangerous Attacks Conceded Average dangerous attacks allowed within 15s of losing possession per match. ↓ better
—
—
Vulnerability Index Composite score (0–1) of how exposed this team is within 15s of losing the ball. Lower = better at preventing transition attacks. Lower = better transition defence
Racing Santander 0.03
Villarreal 0.04
Racing Santander
Villarreal
Window = 15s post-possession change
Index = 0–1 composite score

PRESSURE INDEX

Momentum phases from smoothed minute-by-minute pressure.

  • RAC had peak pressure around 35'.
  • VIL started the game with stronger pressure.
RAC Pressure VIL Pressure
⚡
Pressure Index: RAC reached the top pressure at 35' (83.54).

Team Head to Head Last 6 Seasons

Summary of 1 match between these sides — filtered by competition and venue context.

Racing Santander RAC Home
1 matches
Villarreal VIL Away
Match Record
1
Wins
0
0
Draws
0
0
Losses
1
Goals
2
Goals Scored
1
1
Goals Conceded
2
+1
Goal Difference
-1
Expected Goals
0
xG
0
0
xGA
0

Data last updated: 2026-08-17T00:08:14+00:00

STARTING XI

Match Formation 4-2-3-1
Match Formation 4-4-2
Pitch

General Information

Date & Time
Competition
2026/2027 La Liga, Spain · Round 1 · Regular Season
Stadium
Campos de Sport de El Sardinero
Capacity
22308
Attendance
22413
Pitch Surface
Grass
Weather
☀️ 12°C, Fair
Referees
Miguel Sesma Espinosa
Ion Rodríguez Portela
Mario Martín-Consuegra Díaz
Fernando Román Román

Statistics

Possession
RAC
44%
VIL
56%

Top Statistics

2 Goals 2
2 Big Chances Created 1
6 Shots 3
55 Dangerous attacks 71
41 Possession 59
6 Corners 10
13 Free kicks 14
2 Yellow Cards 4

Match Overview

54 Ball Safe 61
1 Penalties 0
7 Goal Kicks 7
9 Goal Attempts 13
5 Substitutions 5
13 Throwins 13
11 Successful Headers 8
0 Assists 2
1 Injuries 0
25 Dribble Attempts 24
10 Successful Dribbles 14
40 Successful Dribbles Percentage 58

Attacking

88 Attacks 110
1 Big Chances Missed 1
8 Counter Attacks 0

Possession

37 Long Passes 31
382 Passes 540
315 Successful Passes 485
82 Successful Passes Percentage 90
9 Key Passes 9
18 Successful Long Passes 20
49 Successful Long Passes Percentage 65

Defensive

5 Saves 3
20 Tackles 23
13 Interceptions 5
54 Duels Won 58

Build-up

12 Total Crosses 17
1 Accurate Crosses 4

Discipline

1 Offsides 3
14 Fouls 14

Lineup

Referee : Miguel Sesma Espinosa

Starting XI ▼

13
Julen Agirrezabala
Julen Agirrezabala Goalkeeper
7.27
2
Álvaro Mantilla
Álvaro Mantilla (C) Defender
6.24
5
Pablo Ramón
Pablo Ramón Defender
6.65
16
Facundo González
Facundo González
Defender77'
6.32
17
Jorge Salinas
Jorge Salinas Defender
6.92
22
Pedro Felipe
Pedro Felipe Defender
6.57
4
Manu Hernando
Manu Hernando
Defender16'
6.85
8
Gustavo Puerta
Gustavo Puerta Midfielder
7.03
10
Iñigo Vicente
Iñigo Vicente Midfielder
7.21
11
Andrés Martín
Andrés Martín Midfielder
7.31
20
Sergio Canales
Sergio Canales Midfielder
6.8
34
Diego Díaz
Diego Díaz
Midfielder77'
6.14
36
Sergio Martínez
Sergio Martínez Midfielder
6.96
14
Maguette Gueye
Maguette Gueye
Midfielder69'
6.51
12
Asier Villalibre
Asier Villalibre Attacker
6.39
21
Yassir Zabiri
Yassir Zabiri
Attacker69'
6.48
Referee : Miguel Sesma Espinosa

Starting XI ▼

1
Luiz Júnior
Luiz Júnior Goalkeeper
6.24
8
Juan Foyth
Juan Foyth (C) Defender
7.51
12
Renato Veiga
Renato Veiga Defender
6.49
15
Santiago Mouriño
Santiago Mouriño Defender
6.71
3
Alex Freeman
Alex Freeman
Defender88'
20
Carlos Romero
Carlos Romero Defender
7.24
10
Alberto Moleiro
Alberto Moleiro Midfielder
6.78
17
Tajon Buchanan
Tajon Buchanan
Attacker56'
6.72
14
Santi Comesaña
Santi Comesaña Midfielder
6.48
7
Gerard Moreno
Gerard Moreno
Attacker56'
7.17
18
Pape Gueye
Pape Gueye Midfielder
7.5
19
Nicolas Pépé
Nicolas Pépé Midfielder
7.5
11
Ilias Akhomach
Ilias Akhomach
Attacker77'
6.55
9
Georges Mikautadze
Georges Mikautadze Attacker
7.34
22
Ayoze Pérez
Ayoze Pérez Attacker
6.73
26
Carlos Macià
Carlos Macià
Midfielder56'
6.63

Events

2ND-HALF
90+3'
Event
Carlos Romero
Foul / 6th Yellowcard
88'
Event
Alex Freeman → Santiago Mouriño
10th Substitution
87'
Event
Santiago Mouriño
Foul / 5th Yellowcard
Event
Diego Díaz → Sergio Canales
8th Substitution
77'
Event
Facundo González → Pablo Ramón
9th Substitution
77'
77'
Event
Ilias Akhomach → Nicolas Pépé
7th Substitution
Event
Pablo Ramón
Foul / 4th Yellowcard
75'
72'
Event
Pape Gueye
Foul / 3rd Yellowcard
Event
Maguette Gueye → Sergio Martínez
5th Substitution
69'
Event
Yassir Zabiri → Asier Villalibre
6th Substitution
69'
Event
José Alberto López
Argument / 7th Yellowcard
62'
56'
Event
Tajon Buchanan → Alberto Moleiro
2nd Substitution
56'
Event
Carlos Macià → Ayoze Pérez
3rd Substitution
56'
Event
Gerard Moreno  → Santi Comesaña
4th Substitution
48'
Event
Juan Foyth
Foul / 2nd Yellowcard
1ST-HALF
Event
Gustavo Puerta
Foul / 1st Yellowcard
45+4'
45+1'
Event
Nicolas Pépé
Left foot shot / 3rd Goal
45'
Event
Pape Gueye
Left foot shot / 2nd Goal
Event
Sergio Martínez
Right foot shot / 1st Goal
34'
Event
Andrés Martín
Left foot shot / 1st Penalty
21'
Event
Manu Hernando → Pedro Felipe
1st Substitution
16'

Match Commentary

90
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow Card - Carlos Romero
88
Update Update
On Alexander Freeman，Off Santiago Mourino
87
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow Card - Santiago Mourino
83
Corner Corner
Corner
82
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Jose Manuel Hernando Riol Head Shot Missed
81
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Yassir Zabiri Head Shot Saved
81
Corner Corner
Corner
81
Corner Corner
Corner
80
Corner Corner
Corner
79
Corner Corner
Corner
78
Corner Corner
Corner
77
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Georges Mikautadze Right Footed Shot Blocked
77
Update Update
On Facundo Gonzalez，Off Pablo Ramon Parra
77
Update Update
On Die Diaz Cacho，Off Sergio Canales Madrazo
75
Update Update
On Ilias Akhomach，Off Nicolas Pepe
73
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow Card - Pape Alassane Gueye
69
Update Update
On Maguette Gueye，Off Andres Martin Garcia内斯
69
Update Update
On Yassir Zabiri，Off Asier Villalibre
68
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Carlos Romero Left Footed Shot Missed
68
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Nicolas Pepe Left Footed Shot Saved
65
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Santiago Mourino Left Footed Shot Missed
60
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Santiago Mourino Right Footed Shot Saved
58
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Sergio Canales Madrazo Left Footed Shot Saved
58
Update Update
On Yassir Zabiri，Off Asier Villalibre
56
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Carlos Romero Left Footed Shot Missed
56
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Nicolas Pepe Left Footed Shot Saved
56
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Santiago Mourino Left Footed Shot Missed
54
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Santiago Mourino Right Footed Shot Saved
53
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Sergio Canales Madrazo Left Footed Shot Saved
52
Corner Corner
Corner
51
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Alvaro Mantilla Head Shot Missed
50
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Alvaro Mantilla Head Shot Missed
48
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow Card - Juan Marcos Foyth
45
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Andres Martin Garcia Left Footed Shot Missed
45
Update Update
Offside
45
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Ayoze Perez Right Footed Shot Blocked
45
Yellow Card Yellow Card Important
Yellow Card - Gustavo Puerta
45
Corner Corner
Corner
45
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot - Nicolas Pepe Left Footed Shot Goal
45
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Yellow Card - Gustavo Puerta
45
Corner Corner
Corner
45
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal 2-2
45
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot - Pape Alassane Gueye Left Footed Shot Goal
43
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal - Pape Alassane Gueye 2-1
41
Corner Corner
Corner
40
Corner Corner
Corner
37
Corner Corner
Corner
34
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot - Andres Martin Garcia内斯 Right Footed Shot Goal
34
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Andres Martin Garcia Left Footed Shot Blocked
34
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal 2-0
33
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal 2-0
33
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Goal 2-0
31
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Alvaro Mantilla Right Footed Shot Blocked
24
Update Update
Offside
24
Update Update
Offside
21
Corner Corner
Corner
21
GOAL! GOAL! Important
Shot - Andres Martin Garcia Left Footed Shot Goal
18
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Andres Martin Garcia Left Footed Shot Missed
16
Update Update
On Jose Manuel Hernando Riol，Off Pedro Felipe
14
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Andres Martin Garcia Left Footed Shot Blocked
9
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Georges Mikautadze Right Footed Shot Missed
8
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Georges Mikautadze Left Footed Shot Saved
6
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Sergio Canales Madrazo Right Footed Shot Blocked
6
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Gustavo Puerta Left Footed Shot Blocked
5
Attempt Attempt
Shot - Georges Mikautadze Right Footed Shot Saved
4
Corner Corner
Corner
1
Update Update
Kick-off! Referee：Miguel Sesma Espinosa

CONCLUSION

The 2-2 draw left both teams with shared points after an open first half produced all the goals. Racing Santander created more quality chances according to expected goals despite lower possession. Villarreal maintained control of the ball but struggled to translate that into clear opportunities. The absence of any red cards kept the game at full strength for the full ninety minutes. This outcome underscored how early scoring can dictate the remainder of proceedings when second-half adjustments yield no further breakthroughs. Both sides will reflect on missed chances to claim all three points from a fixture that promised more goals after the interval.