Almeria battle to hold Villarreal 3-3 in Copa del Rey clash

UD Almeria and Villarreal drew 3-3 in a Copa del Rey match that saw five goals in the final 25 minutes, setting the stage for high drama in next month's second leg of the round of 32 tie.

The visiting La Liga side dominated the first half here on Thursday night, but the hosts, who play in the second division, got the first goal on a successful penalty by Chema Nuñez in the 52nd minute.

Santi Cazorla brought Villarreal level 15 minutes later with a thunderous strike and the away squad took a 2-1 lead in the 78th minute as Almeria's Fran Callejon deflected a Gerard Moreno cross into his own net, reports Efe.

The advantage grew to 3-1 in the 82nd when Samu Chukwueze scored for Villarreal on the counter.

Sekou Gassama cut the deficit by one with a goal in the 86th minute and added a second in stoppage time to make the final score 3-3.

--IANS

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