Barcelona rode their luck and the brilliance of their wide men to grind out a 2-0 win at Villarreal, restoring a three point cushion at the La Liga summit. Raphinha’s early penalty and a Lamine Yamal strike after the break sealed an eighth consecutive league victory for Hansi Flick’s side, though it was a far from convincing performance.
The Brazilian winger, fiercely defended by his manager just days ago after a ‘The Best’ awards snub, answered his boss in the best way possible. He won and converted a 12th minute spot kick after being felled by Santi Comesana, and was a constant menace, later rattling the crossbar with a thunderous long range effort.
Villarreal, playing at a subdued Estadio de la Ceramica after plans to host the match in Miami were scrapped, made a real fight of it. They thought they’d levelled when Jules Kounde turned into his own net, but it was ruled out for offside. Their task became monumental just before half time, however, when Renato Veiga saw red for a reckless, late lunge on the teenage sensation Yamal.
“We had to suffer, we were not at our best in possession, but the character and the quality in moments was there,” Flick said afterwards. “The reaction from Raphinha, from the whole team, it was important.”
Even against ten men, Barca were laboured. Their second goal came from a messy 63rd minute scramble, Frenkie de Jong finally prodding the ball to Yamal, who made no mistake from close range. The points were ultimately secured by goalkeeper Joan Garcia, not to be confused with his Villarreal namesake, who made a string of superb saves, notably from Rafa Marin and Georges Mikautadze.
The victory was marred by another defensive worry, however, as Jules Kounde limped off late on. With Andreas Christensen already sidelined with a knee ligament injury, Flick’s options at the back is looking thin.
The result means Barca end 2026 top of the pile, having taken maximum points from their last eight league outings. For Villarreal, the defeat sees them drop to fourth after Atletico Madrid’s win at Girona. The title initiative remains with Catalonia, but on this evidence, the champagne football is on hold. It’s all about the grind and the genius of their flying wingers.
