English club Liverpool defeated Villarreal 2-0 in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semifinals on Wednesday at Anfield.
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The first half of the game remained goalless but two back-to-back goals broke the deadlock. Villareal's Pervis Estupinan's own goal in the 53rd minute was followed by Sadio Mane's strike in 55th min.
Despite their profile as a modest club, Villarreal had stunned the football world after eliminating Juventus and Bayern Munich in the knockout stage. But they were off-target in their match against Liverpool. Liverpool won the tournament in 2019 and are eyeing their third Champions League final in five years.
The return leg match between the two sides will be played at the Estadio de la Ceramica on May 3.
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