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

Dive into Ladbrokes’ 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.

Well, what a result for Pafos FC! They’ve gone and nicked a 1-0 win against Villarreal right at home, and you can bet that wasn’t on many people’s bingo cards. The match kicked off with Pafos showing they meant business, and just before the break, Derrick Luckassen popped up with the only goal of the game, thanks to a slick assist from Ken Sema. It’s a result that breaks Pafos’ recent run of draws and losses, showing they can mix it with the big boys. Villarreal, on the other hand, will be scratching their heads after this one, especially after their recent form took a hit with this loss.

The game was a real battle, with Pafos holding firm and showing great resilience. Luckassen’s goal just after halftime was the turning point, and despite Villarreal’s efforts to claw back into the game, Pafos’ defence stood tall. It’s a testament to Pafos’ growing confidence, especially after a tough run of results that included a heavy defeat to Bayern Munich. Villarreal, who’ve been struggling lately, will need to regroup quickly if they’re to turn their fortunes around.

Looking at the stats, Villarreal had the lion’s share of possession with 59% to Pafos’ 41%, but it was Pafos who made it count. Despite Villarreal’s dominance on the ball, they only managed three corners compared to Pafos’ two, showing that Pafos were more clinical in their approach. The dribbling stats were close, with Villarreal edging it at 48% success rate to Pafos’ 45%, but it was Pafos who had the final say with that crucial goal. The yellow cards tell a story of a feisty encounter, with Villarreal picking up two to Pafos’ one, but it was Pafos who kept their cool and secured the win.

The key moment of the match came right at the start of the second half when Derrick Luckassen found the back of the net, assisted by Ken Sema. It was a well-worked move that set the tone for the rest of the game. Pafos made a series of substitutions to shore up their lead, with Sema, Orsic, Pepe, and Quina all coming on to help see out the victory. Villarreal tried to respond with their own changes, but it was too little, too late, and they couldn’t break down Pafos’ resolute defence.

Pafos FC lined up in a 5-4-1 formation, with Neofytos Michail in goal and a solid back five of Bruno, Luckassen, David Luiz, Goldar, and Sema. The midfield was anchored by Sunjic and Pêpê, with Orsic and Quina providing the creativity, and Dragomir leading the line. This setup allowed Pafos to soak up pressure and hit Villarreal on the counter, which ultimately led to their winning goal.

Villarreal opted for a 4-4-2 formation, with Luiz Júnior between the sticks and a back four of Mouriño, Foyth, Veiga, and Cardona. The midfield was packed with talent, including Pépé, Gueye, Parejo, and Moleiro, while Pérez and Mikautadze led the attack. Despite their strong lineup, Villarreal struggled to break down Pafos’ defence and paid the price for not converting their possession into goals.

The Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match goes to Pafos’ Vlad Dragomir. He was instrumental in the goal, providing the assist that led to the onlDerrick Luckassen takes home the Ladbrokes’ Man of the Match award, and rightly so. Not only did he score the winning goal, but he also put in a solid defensive performance, helping Pafos keep a clean sheet. His yellow card was the only blemish on an otherwise stellar display, and his impact on the game was undeniable.

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

In 32nd place with just 1 point, Villarreal’s next challenge is against Espanyol on November 08, 2025 at 20:00.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.