Barcelona reclaimed a four-point lead over Real Madrid after a pulsating win at the Estadio de la Cerámica, where Hansi Flick’s side outmuscled a spirited Villarreal to extend their La Liga winning streak to eight matches.
Early drama and decisive penalty
The game burst into life inside the first quarter-hour. Against the run of play, Raphinha coolly dispatched a penalty in the 12th minute after being felled by Santi Comesaña, giving Barcelona an early edge and setting the tone for a high-octane encounter.
Turning point before half-time
Villarreal, unbeaten in six league games, were dealt a cruel blow on 39 minutes when Renato Veiga received a straight red for a reckless challenge from behind on teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. The dismissal swung momentum decisively toward the visitors and left Villarreal scrambling to regroup.
Yamal puts the game to bed
The match was effectively sealed in the 63rd minute when Lamine Yamal coolly slotted home from close range after a frantic scramble in the box, his ninth goal of the season and a clinical finish that extinguished Villarreal’s hopes of a comeback.
Missed chances and near-misses
Villarreal had plenty of early promise. Nicolas Pépé headed narrowly wide and Ayoze Pérez saw a shot deflected off target before firing tamely into Barcelona keeper Joan García.
Pépé later struck the bar in a one-on-one that would have been ruled out for offside anyway, while Raphinha rattled the crossbar with a thunderous effort in the first half.
A moment of confusion saw Jules Koundé turn a low cross into his own net, only for the goal to be chalked off for offside against the Villarreal full-back, adding to the home side’s frustration.
Control, comfort and closing stages
The second half became more measured as Barcelona managed the game with ten men to their advantage. Fermín López tested goalkeeper Luiz Júnior, and late on Georges Mikautadze was denied in a one-on-one, but Barca never looked in danger as they saw out the final minutes with composure.
What’s next
Barcelona head into the winter break buoyed by momentum and a four-point cushion, returning to action against city rivals Espanyol on 3 January. Villarreal travel to Elche earlier that day, left to rue missed opportunities as they slip further behind in the title race.
