Racing Santander 2-2 Villarreal: Match Report, Goals, Stats and Ratings
La Liga Matchday 1 · Sunday 16 August 2026 · Campos de Sport de El Sardinero, Santander · referee M. Sesma Espinosa · full time
Full time: Racing Santander 2-2 Villarreal
Racing Santander and Villarreal drew 2-2 in La Liga Matchday 1 on Sunday 16 August 2026 at Campos de Sport de El Sardinero. The goals: Andrés Martín 21', Sergio Martínez 34', Pape Gueye 45', Nicolas Pépé 45+1'.
How the match unfolded
The opening goal came in the 21st minute: Andrés Martín from the penalty spot for Racing Santander. Sergio Martínez made it 2-0 to Racing Santander in the 34th minute. Pape Gueye made it 2-1 to Villarreal in the 45th minute, set up by Alberto Moleiro. Villarreal levelled at 2-2 in the 45th minute (+1) through Nicolas Pépé, set up by Georges Mikautadze.
Racing Santander were two goals up and could not hold on: Villarreal came back from two down for a draw.
It was 2-2 at half-time, and nothing changed after the break.
The referee, M. Sesma Espinosa, showed 7 yellow cards: 3 to Racing Santander and 4 to Villarreal.
Racing Santander: J. López Menéndez, 4-2-3-1 · Villarreal: I. Pérez Soto, 4-4-2.
Moneyball's prediction against the result
Moneyball did not publish a pre-match estimate for this match, so there is nothing to mark it against.
Why it went this way
On the day the expected goals were 1.01 for Racing Santander and 2.16 for Villarreal.
Villarreal created the better chances, 2.16 xG to 1.01, and still did not win. On chances alone, the result could easily have gone the other way.
Racing Santander had 3 shots on target, Villarreal 7.
Racing Santander's goalkeeper made 5 saves.
Villarreal had 59% of the ball.
Where the two sides stood before this match
Racing Santander came into it with 7 La Liga matches played, scoring 1.6 and conceding 3.0 a match, with 1.36 expected goals for and 2.20 against, and had won 29% of their matches.
Villarreal came into it with 7 La Liga matches played, scoring 1.9 and conceding 1.7 a match, with 2.28 expected goals for and 1.34 against, and had won 29% of their matches.
Racing Santander vs Villarreal: the match in numbers
| Racing Santander | Match statistics | Villarreal |
|---|---|---|
| 41% | Ball possession | 59% |
| 1.01 | Expected goals (xG) | 2.16 |
| 17 | Total shots | 12 |
| 3 | Shots on target | 7 |
| 2 | Big chances | 1 |
| 377 | Total passes | 536 |
| 82% | Pass accuracy | 90% |
| 6 | Corners | 10 |
| 14 | Fouls | 14 |
| 1 | Offsides | 3 |
| 21 | Tackles | 23 |
| 5 | Saves | 3 |
| 2 | Yellow cards | 4 |
Team statistics from Sportmonks.
Player ratings and man of the match
Man of the match: Pape Gueye (Villarreal), rated 7.5 by Sportmonks, with 1 goal.
Racing Santander
- Andrés Martín 7.3 1 goal
- Julen Agirrezabala 7.3
- Iñigo Vicente 7.2
- Manu Hernando 7.0
- Gustavo Puerta 7.0
Villarreal
- Pape Gueye 7.5 1 goal
- Nicolas Pépé 7.5 1 goal
- Juan Foyth 7.4
- Georges Mikautadze 7.3 1 assist
- Carlos Romero 7.2
The lowest-rated starter was Álvaro Mantilla at 6.2. Ratings run from 0 to 10; around 7.0 is a solid match.
What comes next
- Racing Santander: Racing Santander vs Valencia Sunday 11 October 2026 · La Liga
- Villarreal: Real Madrid vs Villarreal Saturday 10 October 2026 · La Liga
Each preview has Moneyball's estimate for the next match, published before kick-off and marked against the result afterwards, as this one is.
Questions about Racing Santander vs Villarreal
What was the score in Racing Santander vs Villarreal?
Racing Santander 2-2 Villarreal (half-time 2-2), La Liga, Sunday 16 August 2026.
Who scored in Racing Santander vs Villarreal?
Andrés Martín 21', Sergio Martínez 34', Pape Gueye 45', Nicolas Pépé 45+1'.
Did Moneyball predict Racing Santander vs Villarreal correctly?
Moneyball did not publish a pre-match estimate for this match, so there is nothing to mark it against.
Who was man of the match in Racing Santander vs Villarreal?
Pape Gueye, rated 7.5 by Sportmonks.
Who refereed Racing Santander vs Villarreal?
M. Sesma Espinosa.
Every match, before and after
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