Villarreal CF edged past Elche with a 2-1 home victory in a Spanish La Liga fixture on March 8, 2026. This win at the Estadio de la Cerámica allowed Villarreal to continue their push for European football, overcoming a stubborn Elche side. The match saw Villarreal likely take the lead, only for Elche to equalize and set up a tense finale. The decisive moment was a late winner for the Yellow Submarine, securing a dramatic three points in front of their home fans. Key incidents included potential VAR checks and strong challenges, typical of a passionate derby-style encounter. The result had significant table impact, boosting Villarreal's points total and denting Elche's survival hopes. Villarreal's coach praised his team's mentality to find a late goal, while Elche's manager rued defensive lapses at crucial moments.