Pape Gueye scored twice as Villarreal came from behind to beat Málaga 3-1 at La Rosaleda on Thursday, securing their first La Liga victory of the season.
The Senegalese midfielder was introduced after Santi Comesaña was forced off with an injury and quickly became the decisive figure in Villarreal’s comeback.
Málaga had taken the lead, but Villarreal responded through Alberto Moleiro before Gueye completed the turnaround. The midfielder then converted a penalty to add a third goal and put the result beyond doubt.
The victory came on matchday six of the Spanish top flight and ended Villarreal’s wait for a league win after the club had gone through the opening five rounds without claiming three points.
Gueye’s contribution was particularly significant because of how quickly he influenced the match after coming on. Replacing the injured Comesaña, he found the net to give Villarreal a 2-1 advantage before stepping up again from the penalty spot.
His second goal completed the scoring and ensured Villarreal left Málaga with all three points.
The double also moved Gueye’s La Liga total to three goals this season. The Senegal international had already found the net during the opening rounds of the campaign before adding his two goals in Thursday’s match.
He had also featured once in the Champions League before Villarreal’s trip to Málaga, meaning his latest contribution further increased his scoring record across all competitions for the Spanish club.
For Villarreal, the result provided an important boost after their difficult start to the domestic campaign. Having failed to win any of their first five La Liga matches, they finally recorded their first league success at the sixth attempt.
The match initially appeared to be heading in Málaga’s favour after the home side opened the scoring at La Rosaleda. Villarreal responded through Moleiro, restoring parity and giving the visitors a platform from which to mount their comeback.
Gueye then took centre stage.
His first goal of the night moved Villarreal in front, completing the turnaround after they had fallen behind. Only a few minutes later, the Senegalese midfielder had another opportunity from the penalty spot and converted to extend the visitors’ lead to 3-1.
That goal effectively settled the contest and confirmed Villarreal’s first La Liga victory of the season.
The performance adds further goals to Gueye’s campaign after he had already made an impact earlier in the championship. His latest double means he now has three league goals, while his Champions League appearance takes his involvement for Villarreal beyond domestic competition.
Gueye’s two goals were therefore central to a result that changed Villarreal’s fortunes in La Liga. The club had entered the sixth matchday still searching for its first league victory, but left La Rosaleda having overturned a deficit and collected all three points.
For Gueye, meanwhile, the night provided a memorable individual contribution. Introduced because of Comesaña’s injury, he responded with two goals to transform the match and give Villarreal their first league win of the campaign.
