Pafos FC 1-0 Villarreal: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Bwin’s post-match review of Pafos FC 1-0 Villarreal in the Champions League on Wednesday, 05 November 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

Pafos FC secured a surprising 1-0 victory over Villarreal, ending their run of inconsistent results. The match, played at home, saw Pafos extend their unbeaten streak to three games, following a draw against Kairat and a heavy loss to FC Bayern München. The decisive moment came early in the second half when Derrick Luckassen scored, assisted by Ken Sema, showcasing Pafos’s ability to capitalise on limited opportunities. This result was unexpected given Villarreal’s higher possession and recent form, highlighting Pafos’s defensive resilience and tactical discipline.

Villarreal, on the other hand, struggled to convert their dominance in possession into goals, marking their first loss in the competition. Despite having more of the ball, they failed to break down Pafos’s solid defensive structure. The team’s recent form, with no prior results listed, suggests this loss could be a setback in their campaign. Villarreal’s inability to score, despite making five substitutions, underscores their offensive challenges in this match.

The statistics from the match reveal Villarreal’s control of the ball, with 59% possession compared to Pafos’s 41%. Despite this, Pafos managed to secure the win, indicating their efficiency in defence and counter-attacks. Villarreal’s slight edge in corners (3 to Pafos’s 2) and successful dribbles (48% to Pafos’s 45%) did not translate into scoring opportunities. The higher number of yellow cards for Villarreal (2) compared to Pafos (1) suggests a more aggressive approach, yet it was Pafos who emerged victorious, demonstrating their tactical superiority in this encounter.

The pivotal moment of the match occurred just after halftime when Derrick Luckassen scored for Pafos, assisted by Ken Sema, securing the only goal of the game. This early second-half strike set the tone for Pafos’s defensive strategy, which held firm throughout the match. Luckassen’s yellow card in the 70th minute was a minor blemish on an otherwise solid performance. Pafos’s four substitutions in the latter stages of the game helped maintain their lead, while Villarreal’s five changes failed to alter the outcome.

Pafos FC deployed a 5-4-1 formation, with Neofytos Michail in goal and a backline featuring Bruno, Derrick Luckassen, David Luiz, David Goldar, and Ken Sema. This defensive setup allowed Pafos to absorb Villarreal’s pressure and counter effectively. The midfield, led by Ivan Sunjic and Pêpê, provided stability and support to the lone striker, Vlad Dragomir. The lineup’s structure and discipline were crucial in securing the victory against a possession-dominant Villarreal side.

Villarreal lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Luiz Júnior in goal and a defence consisting of Santiago Mouriño, Juan Foyth, Renato Veiga, and Sergi Cardona. The midfield quartet of Nicolas Pépé, Pape Gueye, Dani Parejo, and Alberto Moleiro aimed to control the game, while Ayoze Pérez and Georges Mikautadze led the attack. Despite their efforts to dominate possession, the formation failed to break down Pafos’s defence, highlighting a need for tactical adjustments in future matches.

Derrick Luckassen was named Bwin’s Man of the Match for his decisive contribution to Pafos’s victory. Scoring the only goal of the game and maintaining a strong defensive presence, Luckassen’s performance was pivotal. His yellow card did not detract from his overall impact, as he effectively neutralised Villarreal’s attacks and secured the win for Pafos.

Recent Champions League matches:

• Win: 1-0 vs Villarreal (H)
• Draw: 0-0 vs Kairat (A)
• Loss: 1-5 vs FC Bayern München (H)
• Draw: 0-0 vs Olympiacos F.C. (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Crvena Zvezda (H)

Recent Champions League matches:

• Loss: 0-1 vs Pafos FC (A)
• Loss: 0-2 vs Manchester City (H)

Currently 20th in the league with 5 points, Pafos FC will face Monaco, who are 19th with 5 points, on November 26, 2025 at 17:45.

Currently 32nd in the league with 1 point, Villarreal will play Espanyol on November 08, 2025 at 20:00.

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