The 2005-06 campaign delivered unprecedented European glory for Villarreal as El Submarino Amarillo surged all the way to the UEFA Champions League Semi-finals in their debut appearance. Leading the charge was their Argentine maestro, Juan Román Riquelme, whose 12 league goals were vital in a campaign built on flair and Manuel Pellegrini's tactical brilliance. It was a standout year that saw their European dream end in heartbreak when Riquelme missed a last-minute penalty against Arsenal, yet this unforgettable run remains a defining, golden chapter in the club's modern history, despite the 7th-place domestic finish.