The "Yellow Submarines" played a game that had its ups and downs but in the end, Villarreal was the team left smiling. After winning 3-0 in the game which is 3-1 on aggregate, they won the right to play in the UEFA Champions League group stage.

The first half ended scoreless with Villarreal at one point out-shooting their opponents 10-0. The second half is where most if not all of the excitement took place.

     Just 5 minutes into the second half, Nilmar crossed the ball to an open Rossi whose shot deflected into the goal after a deflection by the Odense keeper Wessels. It was an unlucky goal for Wessels to allow but it makes up for all the goals the submarines should have scored past him.

     At the 66^th minute, Rogerio Cani, who wears the number 10 for Villarreal, gave an assist that will never be forgotten. Dribbling up the right flank, about 40 yards away from the end line, he unleashes a long curling cross which is volleyed home by Giuseppe Rossi who grabbed his second of the night.

     Kadrii would receive a red card at the 71^st minute for his deliberate foul on Zapata leaving the trailing side with 10 men for the rest of the match. However, the playing field would be evened out after Borja Valero head-butted an opposing player for accidentally kicking his head after a foul. It was absolutely unnecessary especially from a player who almost never allows himself to lose his mind in an important game. Valero will miss the opening game of the group stage.

     A man who should have scored only seconds after coming into the game, Claudio Marchena does score after unleashing a shot which is accidentally tipped in by keeper Wessels in the 82^nd minute. This put the icing on the cake for an enthusiastic performance by the home side.

     Marco Ruben would have added another one after finding himself in a one v one situation but instead of shooting into the bottom right corner, he fused a shot right at Wessels who smacked it over his goal.

     The first leg ended in a 1-0 loss for the submarines but they surely should have won that one as well. They had better, clear cut chances than Odense but after an error by Zapata on defense, Andreasen struck it home after cutting past another defender.

     Villarreal knew they had to come in strong today and they did just that. An area of concern in the last game and the first half of this one was up top. Nilmar has been quiet on the scoring front and Giuseppe Rossi has been taking many shots but not scoring. However this did not cause coach Garrido to lose confidence in his Italian-American ace of a striker. Rossi continued to shoot in the first half and second and finally grabbed a brace that eventually led his club to victory.

     Borja Valero's red card was absolutely a good call by the ref because the Spanish international midfielder head-butted his opponent. Zinedine Zidane was ejected from a World Cup final 6 years ago. Did Valero think he would receive otherwise? It was a very huge error by the player but in the end, his club still won 2-0, 3-1 on aggregate.

     Valero will miss the opening match of the group stage but besides that, Villarreal have a lot to celebrate. Rossi staying with the club, and they have advanced to the group stage of Europe's best club competition. If Rossi stays for the whole year, they should be solid up top if he continues to score. They have a solid squad which should lead them far into the latter stages of Europe and at least a top four finish in Spain.  

     The sale of key midfielder Santi Cazorla to Malaga was expected to hurt them. However somehow they managed to cop thus far and will have to continue to do so.

     They played a great game today and will continue to impress in the matches that will be played. For updates and analysis on Villarreal, keep on reading every week only on World Football Daily.