Middlesbrough's final warm-up game ahead the new season ended in a 2-0 defeat to La Liga side Villarreal.
The Yellow Submarines almost went ahead inside 60 seconds when Mexican international Giovani dos Santos brought a strong save out of Tomas Mejias.
However, it was Middlesbrough who thought that they had made the breakthrough on 17 minutes after Daniel Ayala prodded the ball across the line, but the Spanish defender's effort was ruled out for offside.
Midway through the half, Villarreal went in front as Gerard Balaguero fired past a helpless Mejias.
Boro tried to find a way back and the ever-threatening Kike twice went close to scoring for the hosts.
However, it was Villarreal who scored again when Nahuel Leiva unleashed a powerful effort which found the top corner of Mejias's net just before the break.
In the second half, the Championship side continued to push for a goal, but couldn't breach the Spanish outfit's defence, with Lee Tomlin's free-kick as close as they came to a response.
Chris O'Keefe
