In 2019–20, Villarreal finished 5th, earning a place in the 2020–21 UEFA Europa League. The team advanced to the 2021 UEFA Europa League Final, where the club achieved a 1–1 result after extra time and beat favoured Manchester United 11–10 on penalties. This was the first major continental trophy won by the team. With the win, Villarreal switched the next year's participation from the inaugural 2021–22 Europa Conference League to the 2021–22 Champions League.