Nicolas Pépé delivered a standout performance on Matchday 36 of La Liga, scoring a crucial goal in Villarreal’s emphatic 3-0 victory over Leganés as the club continues its impressive campaign.
The Ivorian winger, who has been in resurgent form this season, added his name to the scoresheet with a spectacular long-range effort.
After latching onto a through ball, Pépé unleashed a low-driven shot from outside the penalty area, catching the Leganés goalkeeper off guard and extending Villarreal’s lead.
The goal marked a moment of individual brilliance and capped off an all-around excellent display from the 28-year-old, who has been pivotal to Villarreal’s recent successes.
Pépé, once a record signing at Arsenal, appears to have rediscovered the spark that once made him one of Europe’s most exciting wide forwards.
Over the course of the match, Pépé demonstrated both creativity and control, contributing significantly to Villarreal’s attacking rhythm and overall dominance.
According to match data, the Ivorian completed 86% of his passes, a reflection of his growing composure in possession.
Notably, he achieved a perfect 100% success rate in both his long passes and dribbling attempts—highlighting his precision and confidence on the ball.
In addition to his offensive output, Pépé also showed a willingness to track back and contribute defensively.
He registered one successful tackle and came out on top in six individual duels, proving his value on both sides of the pitch.
His playmaking instincts were equally sharp, as evidenced by three key passes that helped Villarreal consistently break down the Leganés defence.
Whether cutting inside from the wing or initiating plays from deeper areas, Pépé’s presence was a constant headache for the visitors.
This performance comes at a crucial juncture in the season, with Villarreal pushing for European qualification. It also bodes well for the Ivory Coast national team ahead of their upcoming international fixtures.
With Pépé returning to top form, the Elephants will be hopeful of his influence in the matches to come.
Pépé’s resurgence in Spain may serve as a turning point in his career. After an uneven spell in the Premier League, his move to Villarreal has provided a platform for revitalisation.
His recent performances suggest that he is once again operating at the high level expected of an international-calibre player.
The result against Leganés not only secured three valuable points for Villarreal but also reinforced their status as one of La Liga’s most in-form sides.
With two league games remaining, the club remains firmly in the hunt for a top-six finish, and with Pépé in this kind of form, their ambitions appear well within reach.
As the season draws to a close, all eyes will be on whether Pépé can maintain this level and help steer both club and country toward their goals.
For now, though, Villarreal fans will relish a performance that was as efficient as it was electrifying.
