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The Spanish side became the most recent team to succumb to the Norwegian striker, who scored in his 9th consecutive City match. The visitors secured a relatively easy 2-0 victory in the Cerámica, with the Portuguese midfielder adding a second goal in a opening 45 minutes of evident superiority. While the home team had chances in the second period, they created minimal sustained threat. When the forward was substituted late on, relief swept through the ground—his damage had already been inflicted.

Commanding Start from City

City started sharply, with the number nine, Savinho, and Jérémy Doku combining to test Luíz Júnior into an early stop. Only moments, the striker directed a opportunity just wide. The City manager used a fluid formation, sometimes resembling a 3-2-4-1, with John Stones dropping into the back line when needed. The visitors enjoyed 69% of possession in the first half, though their dominance felt more pronounced.

Villarreal Struggle to Cope

The Villarreal squad seemed struggling to decipher City's movements. Villarreal relied on a defensive block and quick counterattacks, but the away side exceeded them in athleticism and technique. Any glimpses of threat from the Yellow Submarine were quickly dealt with, with the defender denying Georges Mikautadze and Pape Gueye firing wide.

Patience proved crucial for City, particularly in the lead-up to the first strike.

First Strike Demonstrates Their Control

The first goal on seventeen minutes epitomized the team's composure. Savinho and John Stones swapped the ball multiple times on the right flank, pulling the defense wide. Then, the tempo changed—patient movement turned into a rapid exchange, Rico Lewis bursting into the area and squaring for the forward to finish.

Second Header Seals the Win

The next strike was even simple. Again, the winger sent in a cross from the right, and Silva arrived unmarked to nod home from point-blank.

After the Break Brings Brief Resistance

While the hosts showed some life in the second half—with Nicolas Pépé and others testing Gianluigi Donnarumma—City largely kept control. The striker went close twice, once with a strong shot and later with a placed strike, but Luíz Júnior saved him each time.

• The Norwegian has now found the net in nine straight matches.
• City dominated possession with sixty-nine percent in the first half.
• Villarreal managed only a handful of shots on target.

Ultimately, it was a professional display from Manchester City, as they carry on their strong form in the Champions League.