VILLARREAL-BARCELONA 0-2
Barcelona is an unstoppable cyclone: Villarreal was overwhelmed and defeated 2-0, leaving the Blaugrana at +4 on Real Madrid. The first minutes are complicated for the Blaugrana, who take risks on two occasions: Pépé and Ayoze Perez come close to scoring, Koundé decisive. However, the turning point came in the 10th minute, when Santi Comesaña fouled Raphinha and caused a penalty, which the Brazilian converted for 1-0. Villarreal’s reaction was vehement, also thanks to Barça’s usual fragile defense: Buchanan came close to equalizing twice, with chances also for Pépé. Submarino Amarillo, however, commits waste after waste and sees a potential goal canceled due to offside, while Barcelona is lethal in the offensive zone. Raphinha hits the post, Ferran Torres comes close to scoring an encore and Yamal causes an expulsion: a foul by former Juve player Renato Veiga, Villarreal ends with ten men from the 39th minute. The start of the second half was one-way, with Barça dominating and working to close it out. Luiz Junior saves from Fermin Lopez, then Lamine Yamal appears: goalscorer and 2-0 in the 53rd minute. From here on, thanks also to the changes and the arrival of Lewandowski who makes the attack more predictable, Barcelona plays in full control. The Blaugrana take some defensive liberties again, and Joan Garcia saves them: sensational double save on Mikautadze, protecting the double advantage. In the final, Villarreal went unbalanced and also risked Rashford’s hat trick, but Sergi Cardona saved on the line. However, Barcelona wins, boasting crazy numbers: 46 points and fifteen victories in 18 La Liga matches, 51 goals scored and +4 over Real Madrid. Villarreal, on the other hand, interrupts its positive streak, slipping into 4th position with 35 points: Atletico overtakes it, but Submarino Amarillo has played two games less than the top three in the class.
