An 84th-minute goal from Hans Henrik Andreasen gave Odense an unlikely 1-0 win over Villarreal. The Danish side withstood heavy second-half pressure from Villarreal but held out for a memorable victory.
Odense started to game really well and created the best chances early on. First, Andreasen nodded just wide before more pressure nearly resulted in an own goal.
At the other end defender Mateo Musacchio came close, but saw his header cleared off the line by Kalilou Traoré. The near miss kick-started the visitors, and as the first half progressed Villarreal’s forwards Nilmar and Giuseppe Rossi grew ever more influential. Rossi, in particular, tried his luck twice, firing just wide before Stefan Wessels produced a fingertip save to deny the Yellow Submarine an away goal.
Both teams moved close to breaking the deadlock early in the second half as the keepers at both ends produced tremendous saves, but it was Villarreal who were on top with Rossi a constant thorn. Still, the lively home crowd were maintaining their enthusiasm as the match remained goalless and their team continued to defend resolutely.
They were nearly deflated with ten minutes remaining when it opened up for visiting wing back Mario Gasper, but Wessels saved well again. OB were hanging on, but they then shocked Villarreal when Andreasen caught out Zapata, stepped around the covering defender and slammed his shot into the roof of the net.
It may need another equally defiant performance to secure a group stage berth next week in Spain.