In the Spanish late-afternoon heat, proceedings started slowly. Both sides struggled to find the quality required to string together passes and threaten the respective opposing keeper, perhaps due to the dry pitch.

Villarreal talisman Gerard Romero had the best chance to light up the scoreboard, but his volleyed effort at the back post flashed wide, capping off a lacklustre first half in Valladolid.

It took less than five minutes after the interval for the game’s first goal. Teenager Yeremy Pino flashed a dangerous ball across the face of goal, which was tapped home at the back post by Villarreal new boy Nicolas Jackson to give the visitors the lead.

The hosts pushed for an equaliser and, with the crowd behind them, pinned Villarreal deep into their own half. However, a flurry of chances ultimately went begging and, in the end, the hosts were made to rue their lack of clinical edge. 

With 10 minutes remaining, Unai Emery’s side got their second thanks to a well-worked move which ended in Baena’s side-footed finish.

To put the final nail in the Valladolid coffin, Baena fired home a stunning strike from distance in injury time, capping off a stellar second-half Villarreal performance.

Flashscore Man of the Match: Nicolas Jackson (Villarreal)