Their 5-1 victory over Levante UD mathematically confirms qualification for UEFA’s top competition.
For the second season in a row, Villarreal CF will play in the UEFA Champions League. El Submarino Amarillo mathematically confirmed a top four finish by defeating Levante UD 5-1 on Saturday, taking their points tally this LALIGA EA SPORTS season to 68 points from the 34 matchdays played so far. Click this link https://a.meridianbet.ke/c/C7pYjz to start gaming and stand a chance of winning big with Meridianbet.
Never before have Villarreal CF played in the top UEFA competition in consecutive seasons, but they’ve now achieved this under Marcelino. Fifth place was enough for a Champions League ticket at the end of 2024/25, and now they’re guaranteed to qualify again, irrespective of whether LALIGA EA SPORTS gains a fifth berth once again.
Finishing in the top four and guaranteeing this with weeks to spare is a huge achievement, in the mind of Marcelino. After the win over Levante UD, the coach said: “We qualified for the Champions League through the front door, and it was a huge achievement. Reaching the Champions League back to back was an ambitious goal, a feat the club has achieved for the first time. It’s very difficult for clubs other than the big three to do that. We have to thank the players because the results are phenomenal.”
Against Levante UD, the scores were actually locked at 1-1 around the hour mark, after goals from Georges Mikautadze and an away equaliser from Carlos Espí. But, then the home team turned it on in the final half hour, with Alberto Moleiro, Mikautadze again, Tajon Buchanan and Nicolas Pépé all getting on the scoresheet to give the fans at the Estadio de la Cerámica a performance and result to cheer about.
Villarreal CF’s seventh season in the Champions League
Throughout the 21st century, Villarreal CF have been a semi-regular participant in the Champions League. They first qualified for the 2005/06 edition, famously reaching the semi-finals, where they lost to Arsenal. Since then, they’ve also qualified for the Champions League in 2008/09, 2011/12, 2016/17, 2021/22, 2025/26 and now 2026/27.
They also reached the final four in 2021/22, losing to Liverpool after qualifying for that edition as Europa League champions. Now, after a disappointing league phase exit in 2025/26, they’ll hope to reach the knockout rounds again next season.
The goal of finishing third
Before taking to the continent next season, there is still an objective for the remainder of this league campaign. Coach Marcelino has spoken about the fact that Girona FC are the only club to break the top three in the Diego Simeone era at Atlético de Madrid, and how he’d like Villarreal CF to finish third this season.
Currently, El Submarino Amarillo hold a five-point advantage over fourth-placed Atlético de Madrid, and will hope to stay in front of Los Colchoneros, who they play on the final day of the season.
As Marcelino put it: “Only Girona FC have finished third in recent years, and now we’re in position to do that. That’s the mindset we’ll maintain right to the end, as the team is working well. The fixture list means we’re playing against teams fighting against relegation. We have to be professional in every match.”
The objective of qualifying for the Champions League is already achieved. But, Villarreal CF will keep fighting to make this season even more memorable.
