Villarreal Team News Page 3 - Soccer

Alex Fores - Back with Villarreal Fores has returned to Villarreal after his loan with Oviedo.

Impact Fores has returned to his parent club after a full season on loan with Oviedo, earning one assist and no goals in his 18 appearances (three starts). That said, he was not used as much as many would have wanted, only appearing for around 350 minutes of play. That said, a role with Villarreal will be tough to come by, likely set for another loan or a move out, as his contract does run out after this season.

JULY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Ilias Akhomach - Returns to Villarreal Akhomach has returned to Villarreal from his loan with Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Akhomach is back in Villarrreal following a half-season loan with Rayo. This comes after there was no option to buy the forward, as he just renewed with Villarreal until 2028 before heading out on loan. He earned one assist in 11 appearances (seven starts) with Rayo, proving he has some decent skill, although it may not be enough for time with his parent club.

JULY 3 • ROTOWIRE

Renato Palma Veiga - Two shots from defense Veiga had two shots (zero on goal) in Thursday's 2-1 win versus Croatia.

Impact Veiga would stay on the field for the entire match once again Thursday, as the defender is yet to leave the field for Portugal. He would see a decent day in the defense with one interception and five clearances, bailed out a few times by disallowed goals. He would also add two shots, although both were off target.

JULY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Pape Gueye - Makes thee crosses Gueye recorded two shots (zero on goal) and three crosses (one accurate) in Wednesday's 3-2 defeat against Belgium.

Impact Gueye struggled to make an impact in Wednesday's must-win match, managing only a single shot on target, one duel won, and six passes into the final third before being substituted in the 66th minute. Even so, he leaves the tournament with a commendable overall contribution, scoring twice and adding an assist across four appearances, starting every match while maintaining an 87 percent pass accuracy, giving Senegal a reliable midfield presence throughout their World Cup campaign.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Freeman - Two tackles Wednesday Freeman recorded one shot (zero on goal) in Wednesday's 2-0 victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Impact Freeman was back in his right-back role after he was rested in the last match, as he sat on a yellow card, playing the full 90 minutes. He would record a clearance, two interceptions and a few tackles in the defense as the USMNT notched a clean sheet, a solid day. He will be set to remain a starter heading into the round of 16, being a rising talent in the squad during this World Cup.

JULY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Pepe - Assists in elimination Pepe assisted once to go with two shots (one on goal), seven crosses (two accurate) and three corners in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Norway.

Impact Pepe provided the assist for the lone goal in Tuesday's loss, setting up Amad Diallo for what was, at the time, the equalizer. Pepe was a threat throughout the match and could have had a couple more assists with better finishing from those around him. He also had a role on set-pieces throughout the match. Pepe and co. will be disappointed not to make a deeper run as they crash out in the round of 32.

JUNE 30 • ROTOWIRE

Tajon Buchanan - 75 minutes against South Africa Buchanan had one shot (one on goal) in Sunday's 1-0 victory against South Africa.

Impact Buchanan would start once again, starting all four games for Canada at the 2026 World Cup. He would see one chance on net and completed a few passes, but didn't see too much action. He should continue to start as they head into the round of 16.

JUNE 28 • ROTOWIRE

Tani Oluwaseyi - Three shots, no goal Oluwaseyi registered three shots (two on goal) in Sunday's 1-0 victory against South Africa.

Impact Oluwaseyi would start his first match of the World Cup since their opener on Sunday, with the forward playing 70 minutes. He would earn three shots and put two on target, although it was not enough to score. He has now started in two of his four World Cup appearances, leaving some questions on whether he will start the round of 16 match or not.

JUNE 28 • ROTOWIRE

Renato Palma Veiga - Logs four interceptions Veiga registered one tackle (zero won), six clearances and four interceptions in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Colombia.

Impact Veiga delivered the outstanding defensive performance of Saturday's 0-0 draw with Colombia, registering four interceptions, one tackle, one chance created and six clearances across his 90 minutes as Portugal's right centre-back, reading Colombia's transitions with exceptional intelligence and consistently cutting out passes before they could reach Luis Diaz or Jhon Cordoba in dangerous areas. His reading of the game and composure on the ball make him one of the players to watch heading into the Croatia round of 32 fixture.

JUNE 28 • ROTOWIRE

Thomas Partey - Mostly silent in Croatia bout Partey recorded three interceptions, drew two fouls and completed 69 passes in Saturday's 2-1 defeat versus Croatia.

Impact Partey was a rather commanding presence in the midfield on both ends, handling the ball a lot, but that didn't translate into much production statistically. He has notched two or more interceptions in back-to-back fixtures, accumulating five and registering four tackles (all won), five clearances and one block, while he has yet to contribute offensively.

JUNE 28 • ROTOWIRE

Pape Gueye - Scores twice off bench in win Gueye scored two goals and assisted once from six shots and three chances created in Friday's 5-0 victory against Iraq. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 81st minute.

Impact Senegal needed to score lots of goals to improve their goal differential and boost their chances of qualifying as one of the best third-placed teams, and they did exactly that. Gueye was impressive off the bench after entering the game in the 58th minute and participated directly in three goals, including scoring twice with two long-range, unstoppable shots. If Senegal makes it into the Round of 32, Gueye could very well move back into the starting lineup after this impressive display.

JUNE 26 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Pepe - Bags brace Pepe scored two goals to go with two shots (two on goal), one cross (one accurate) and one corner in Thursday's 2-0 victory over Curacao. In addition, he was given a yellow card in...

Impact Pepe would be the only goal scorer for the Ivory Coast on Thursday, as the winger found the back of the net in the seventh and 64th minutes for a brace. This gives him not just his first goals of the tournament but also his first goal contribution, starting in two of the three games thus far. As a veteran presence in the attack and holding decent form after the brace, it appears likely he could start in the round of 32.

JUNE 25 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Pepe - Scores brace vs. Curacao Pepe scored two goals to go with two shots (two on goal), one cross (one accurate) and one corner in Thursday's 2-0 win over Curacao. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the...

Impact The Villarreal forward was the undisputed star of the game for Ivory Coast, scoring on both sides of halftime to hand the Elephants second place in Group E. Pepe, who has two goals in three appearances in the World Cup, could remain in the XI in the knockout stages.

JUNE 25 • ROTOWIRE

Thomas Partey - Anchors midfield effectively Partey registered four tackles (four won), five clearances and two interceptions in Tuesday's 0-0 draw against England.

Impact Partey anchored Ghana's midfield with an all-round display, winning six of eight ground duels while adding four tackles, two interceptions and five clearances. He completed 85 percent of his passes but made a mistake that led to a shot. He covered nearly 10 kilometers and relentlessly tracked Harry Kane for the entire game, which was crucial in securing the clean sheet for Ghana.

JUNE 25 • ROTOWIRE

Renato Palma Veiga - Four clearances in win Veiga had four clearancesand two interceptions in Tuesday's 5-0 win versus Uzbekistan. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 68th minute.

Impact Veiga lined up alongside Ruben Dias in central defense and picked up a yellow card in the 68th minute for a foul, the lone blemish on an otherwise commanding outing as Portugal rolled to a 5-0 victory. He helped keep Uzbekistan's attack in check, limiting them to just two shots on target over the full 90 minutes as part of a back line that was rarely put under pressure, while also chipping in with two interceptions and four clearances to lock down the clean sheet. Veiga and Portugal now sit on four points in Group K heading into their final group-stage showdown with Colombia.

JUNE 23 • ROTOWIRE

Pape Gueye - Unproductive versus Norway Gueye had two tackles (one won) and one clearance in Monday's 3-2 defeat against Norway.

Impact Gueye made a limited impact as he tried to stop an overwhelming opposition, playing alongside Idrissa Gueye in a two-man holding midfield. The 27-year-old has tallied two tackles, two interceptions and three clearances over two games and might retain limited value even in a convenient fixture against Iraq.

JUNE 22 • ROTOWIRE

Thomas Partey - Granted US visa, available to play Partey has been granted a visa to enter the United States and will be available for Ghana's World Cup fixture against England in Boston on Tuesday, according to Rob Draper of The G...

Impact Partey had missed Ghana's opening match against Panama in Toronto after being denied entry into Canada, with Elisha Owusu starting in his place. His availability for the England clash gives coach Carlos Queiroz back one of his most experienced midfield options as Ghana look to build on their dramatic opening victory against the Three Lions.

JUNE 22 • ROTOWIRE

Alex Freeman - Scores vs. Australia Freeman scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and one chance created in Friday's 2-0 win against Australia.

Impact Freeman doubled the USMNT lead with a header in the final moments of the first half, but he also looked the part defensively against a rugged, physical Australian team. Freeman has been a solid contributor for the USMNT in the first two games and should remain in the XI unless the coaching staff decides to tweak the squad in the group-stage finale against Turkiye on Thursday, June 25.

JUNE 19 • ROTOWIRE

Tajon Buchanan - Busy game without a goal Buchanan had four shots (one on goal), 10 crosses (three accurate) and one corner in Thursday's 6-0 win against Qatar.

Impact Buchanon took four shots but was unable to find the back of the net as Canada defeated Qatar 6-0. He was still heavily involved in the game. It was his powerful shot that was returned to Jonathan David, which allowed him to score and put Canada 2-0 ahead. One of his four shots was also cleared off the line in the first half and was fouled as the final man on his way towards the box, which meant that the Qatari defender get sent off.

JUNE 19 • ROTOWIRE

Renato Palma Veiga - Two tackles in draw Veiga had two tackles (zero won) and three clearances in Wednesday's 1-1 draw versus DR Congo.

Impact Veiga played the full game in Wednesday's 1-1 World Cup draw with DR Congo, contributing two tackels and three clearances but couldn't have done better on DR Congo's opener since Yoane Wissa was left alone to head it home. Portugal's back line and midfield had to manage a tense finish after DR Congo's first-half stoppage-time equalizer, with the match opening up in transition late. Veiga seems to have a slight edge over Goncalo Inacio to start in central defense during the competition for Portugal.

JUNE 18 • ROTOWIRE

Thomas Partey - Loses appeal Partey lost his appeal against visa refusal into Canada, per Martyn Ziegler of The Times.

Impact Partey lost his appeal and will not be allowed into Canada for the opening match against Panama. Partey will likely be granted a visa into the United States for the second match of the group stage, but he remains out for the opener. Elisha Owusu is in line for the start against Panama with Partey not allowed in the country.

JUNE 16 • ROTOWIRE

Thomas Partey - Visa denial court bid Tuesday Partey (personal) is expected to appear at a federal court in Canada on Tuesday with the support of the Ghana government as he seeks to overturn the visa denial that has ruled him...

Impact Partey was denied entry into Canada ahead of Ghana's opening group stage fixture, depriving the Black Stars of their most experienced and important midfielder for what promises to be a crucial opener. The deputy captain's legal bid represents a last-ditch attempt to be available for Wednesday's clash, with the Ghana government stepping in to support his case, while Elisha Owusu is among the options being considered to fill his role in the midfield if the court appearance does not produce the desired outcome.

JUNE 15 • ROTOWIRE

Nicolas Pepe - Attempts two shots in win Pepe registered two shots (zero on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Sunday's 1-0 victory versus Ecuador.

Impact Pepe operated as one of the two forwards for Ivory Coast alongside Elye Wahi in a 4-4-2 tactic, but he couldn't find the target despite his mobility causing problems for Ecuador's elite defensive line. Pepe, who also has value as a corner-kick and set-piece taker, will have a tougher matchup next time around against Germany on Saturday.

JUNE 15 • ROTOWIRE

Tajon Buchanan - Three crosses on the wing Buchanan recorded three crosses (zero accurate) and one tackle in Friday's 1-1 draw versus Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Impact Buchanan sent in three crosses, though none were accurate during the group stage opener. The midfielder also added a defensive contribution with a tackle, but on the whole wasn't overly involved. It was a tough, cagey match and the pacey winger just couldn't get involved in the attack as often as he would have liked. In a group of largely defensive teams Buchanan's impact could be limited.

JUNE 13 • ROTOWIRE

Tani Oluwaseyi - Creates pair of chances Oluwaseyi recorded two shots (one on goal) and two chances created in Friday's 1-1 draw against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Impact Oluwaseyi started in the attack and created a pair of chances, but failed to really do much else. His pair of shots weren't overly threatening and in the end he was left with nothing to show for the opening match of the World Cup. Oluwaseyi could rotate throughout the group stage, as Canada have a few competent attacking options.

JUNE 13 • ROTOWIRE

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