Villarreal’s Champions League woes continued on Wednesday as they were stunned 1-0 by Pafos, who secured their first victory of the competition thanks to Derrick Luckassen’s decisive header.
Despite being third in LaLiga, Villarreal remain on just one point in Europe, while Pafos move up to five.
With both teams struggling for goal, Villarreal have scored only twice in three games, both in a 2-2 draw against Juventus, and Pafos had managed just one in a 5-1 loss to Bayern Munich, a goal-fest was never expected.
Pafos started strongly, with Quina making a weaving run into the box and curling a shot just over the bar.
Villarreal also wasted chances, as Georges Mikautadze missed a headed pass from Ayoze Perez, and Pape Gueye’s attempt was easily saved.
The breakthrough came early in the second half when Pafos won a corner and Luckassen, unmarked, powered a header into the net.
Villarreal’s attempts to fight back lacked conviction, leaving the home fans to celebrate a memorable European win.
