Ayoze Pérez delivered a goal-and-assist masterclass before Alberto Moleiro struck a dramatic 95th-minute winner as Villarreal survived a late Real Sociedad resurgence to claim a thrilling 3–2 victory at the Reale Arena. The win — their fifth straight in La Liga — keeps Marcelino’s side firmly in the title race, now just two points off the summit.

The opening stages were tight and physical, with chances rare. The first clear opportunity fell to Takefusa Kubo, who drove a low effort toward the bottom-right corner, only for Luiz Júnior to produce an impressive stop. Moments later, Umar Sadiq raced through on goal but dragged his shot wide under pressure from the advancing goalkeeper.

Kubo, who had missed earlier, was then unfortunately involved in the game’s first goal — but at the wrong end. In the 33rd minute, his misplaced pass to Brais Méndez surrendered possession, and after Santi Comesaña intercepted Kubo’s attempted clearance, he released Tajon Buchanan down the left wing. The Canadian accelerated into space and delivered a perfect cross for Pérez to slide home at the back post.

Villarreal’s lead was preserved before the break thanks to the inspired Luiz Júnior, who denied Aritz Elustondo’s powerful header from a Sergio Gómez free-kick before reacting sharply to block a near-post strike from Méndez.

Villarreal carried that defensive resilience into the second half and doubled their advantage on 57 minutes. A swift counterattack saw Pérez drive forward and pick out Moleiro, who arrowed a superb finish into the top-left corner from the edge of the box.

Real Sociedad, however, hit back immediately. Kubo capitalised on a poor clearance, intercepting the ball and teeing up Carlos Soler, whose clinical finish into the same top-left corner halved the deficit and reignited the home side.

The equaliser nearly arrived 15 minutes later when Gonçalo Guedes unleashed a curling effort toward the top-right corner, only for Luiz Júnior to stretch every sinew to tip it wide.

Sociedad’s pressure finally told in the 85th minute. Ander Barrenetxea stepped up and curled a stunning free-kick into the top corner, mirroring Soler’s earlier strike and sparking wild celebrations as La Real looked to have completed the comeback.

But Villarreal were not finished. Deep into stoppage time, a failed Sociedad clearance from a corner fell to Moleiro on the edge of the area. The young midfielder kept his composure, drilling a low shot into the far corner to snatch all three points and keep Villarreal hot on Barcelona’s heels in the title chase.