Article by Tudor Belivacă – Published on Wednesday, 05 November 2025, 21:39 / Updated on Wednesday, 05 November 2025 21:41
Vlad Dragomir was integral in the first victory of Pafos in the Champions League, score 1-0 in front of Villarreal.
Derrick Luckassen was the scorer of the only goal of the game, in the 47th minute, following a corner executed by Sema.
Vlad Dragomir, integral player in the first victory of Pafos in the Champions League
Pafos and Villarreal announced from the beginning that they would offer a balanced duel, without spectacle, but more based on efficiency.
In the first half the show hesitated to appear at the Alphamega Stadium. Vlad Dragomir's team was not seen in the attack, therefore neither was the Romanian who was used as a striker in this game.
Villarreal did not excel either: but the “yellow submarine” ticked off 2 shots on goal, unable to break Pafos. The two teams went into the break with a goalless draw and it looked as if the game was headed for a goalless draw right from the break.
Immediately after the teams returned from the changing rooms, Luckassen scored the goal of the first Champions League victory with a header after a perfectly executed corner. After the scored goal, the Cypriots retreated in defense and tried to surprise the counterattack. Villarreal began to attack more consistently, but without giving the impression that they could score, Pafos defending exemplary.
Up-to-date standings in the Champions League
FINAL » Paphos – Villarreal 1-0
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He scored: Luckassen 47'
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Min.47: Luckassen rose perfectly to the corner and sent the ball into Villarreal's goal, the Cypriots' first shot on goal
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Start in the second half! No changes at halftime
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The “Yellow Submarine” sent only 2 shots on goal in the first half, none of which were dangerous
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The first 20 minutes were balanced, without great opportunities at the two gates. The Romanian Vlad Dragomir did not stand out, but he was in the team's score. The Romanian international is evolving at the point of attack.
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Game start!
Starting teams in Paphos – Villarreal
Paphos (4-3-3): Michail – Bruno, Luckassen, D. Luiz, Sema – Sunjic, Goldar (capt.), Pepe – Orsic, Vlad Dragomir, Quina
reserves: Gorter, Petrou, Pileas, Bassouamina, Dimata, Jaja, Langa, Anderso
Coach: Juan Carcedo
Villarreal (4-4-2): Luiz Junior – Mourinho, Foyth, Renato Veiga, Cardona – Nicolas Pepe, Parejo, PA Guee, Moleiro – Ayoze Perez, Mikautadze
Reserves: Tenas, Altimira, Rafa Marin, Solomon, Gerard Moreno, Akhomach, Comesana, Partey, Buchanan, Oluwaseyi, Pedraza, Navarro
Coach: Marcelino
