Madrid: Villarreal earned a 2-1 victory at Espanyol thanks to goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo's heroic performance to deny a stoppage-time penalty in the Spanish La Liga.
Asenjo in the match Monday dove correctly to his right to deny Sergio Garcia's spot kick after Villarreal defender Gabriel Armando handled inside the area, reported Xinhua.
Villarreal led 2-0 by the 50th minute, starting with teenage midfielder Matias Nahuel picking out Moises Gomez's run into the area before Jeremy Perbet doubled the advantage by scoring from a through ball into the area.
Espanyol pulled one back in the 77th after Jhon Cordoba powered home a low shot, but Asenjo's strong save ensured Villarreal kept pace with fourth-place Athletic Bilbao for the league's last Champions League qualifying place.
