Villarreal earned a 2-1 victory at Espanyol Monday thanks to goalkeeper Sergio Asenjo's heroic performance to deny a stoppage-time penalty in the Spanish La Liga.

Asenjo dove correctly to his right to deny Sergio Garcia's spot kick after Villarreal defender Gabriel Armando handled inside the area.

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.