Barcelona secured a vital 2-0 victory over Villarreal on Sunday to restore their four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga. Raphinha and Lamine Yamal were the heroes for the Catalan side, both scoring crucial goals to keep Barcelona on track for another La Liga title.
The match at the Estadio de la Ceramica began with Villarreal having several early chances to take the lead. However, it was Barcelona who broke the deadlock in the 12th minute through Raphinha. The Brazilian winger won a penalty after being fouled inside the box by Villarreal’s Santi Comesana. Raphinha calmly converted the penalty, sending goalkeeper Luiz Junior the wrong way to give Barcelona a 1-0 lead. This was Raphinha’s seventh La Liga goal of the season.
Despite Barcelona’s lead, Villarreal came close to equalizing. Former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe missed a chance with a header from close range, and Ayoze Perez had a shot deflected off target. Raphinha also came close to doubling Barcelona’s lead when he rattled the crossbar with a powerful shot from the edge of the penalty area.
Villarreal’s frustrations grew in the 39th minute when they were reduced to 10 men. Renato Veiga, the Villarreal defender, was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge from behind on Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal. Yamal, who was visibly shaken after the tackle, briefly received treatment but was able to continue. The red card left Villarreal with a man disadvantage and made it increasingly difficult for them to mount a comeback.
Yamal’s Goal Seals the Victory
The second half saw Barcelona take full control of the match. In the 63rd minute, Lamine Yamal effectively sealed the win for Barcelona with a calm finish from close range. The goal came after a goalmouth scramble following a cross from Frenkie de Jong. Yamal’s strike was his ninth goal of the season in all competitions and marked another milestone in his impressive development.
Villarreal continued to fight but could not break down Barcelona’s defense. Georges Mikautadze had a one-on-one opportunity with Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia in the 77th minute, but Garcia made a crucial save to keep his clean sheet intact.
Barcelona continued to dominate possession after their second goal, making it difficult for Villarreal to mount any significant threats. Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior made a couple of important saves, including denying Fermin Lopez, but the 10-man team could not find a way back into the match.
Barcelona comfortably saw out the remaining minutes of the match to secure all three points. The victory stretched their winning run in La Liga to eight consecutive games and restored their four-point lead at the top of the league table over Real Madrid.
With the win, Barcelona maintained their strong position at the top of La Liga, now sitting four points clear of Real Madrid. They have been in excellent form under coach Hansi Flick, with this victory marking their seventh straight win in all competitions.
The result was especially significant given that Barcelona was missing central defender Andreas Christensen, who suffered a torn ACL in training just days before the match. However, Barcelona’s defense held firm, and their attack, led by Raphinha and Yamal, was clinical in converting their chances.
Barcelona will return to action after the winter break against city rivals Espanyol on January 3, 2026. Villarreal, on the other hand, will face Elche earlier that same day.
Barcelona’s 2-0 victory over Villarreal was a dominant performance that extended their lead at the top of La Liga. With goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, the Catalan giants maintained their perfect start to the season under Hansi Flick. Their defense, despite missing key players like Andreas Christensen, held firm, while their attack continued to shine. The result leaves Barcelona four points clear of Real Madrid as they head into the winter break, with their eyes firmly on securing another La Liga title.
La Liga Standings After Barcelona’s Victory
| Team | Matches Played | Points | Goals Scored | Goals Against |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | 15 | 41 | 50 | 14 |
| Real Madrid | 15 | 37 | 45 | 20 |
| Atletico Madrid | 15 | 33 | 39 | 18 |
| Villarreal | 15 | 26 | 25 | 22 |
| Real Sociedad | 15 | 25 | 28 | 26 |
FAQs :
- Who scored for Barcelona in their 2-0 win over Villarreal?
- Raphinha scored the opening penalty in the 12th minute, and Lamine Yamal added a second goal in the 63rd minute.
- How many goals has Raphinha scored in La Liga this season?
- Raphinha has scored seven goals in La Liga this season, including his penalty against Villarreal.
- What is Barcelona’s lead over Real Madrid after this win?
- Barcelona now has a four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.
- What is the goal tally for Lamine Yamal this season?
- Lamine Yamal scored his ninth goal of the season in all competitions with his goal against Villarreal.
- When does Barcelona play next after the winter break?
- Barcelona’s next match is against Espanyol on January 3, 2026, after the winter break.
- What was the result of the Villarreal vs Barcelona match?
- Barcelona won the match 2-0, with goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, to restore their four-point lead in La Liga.
