Barcelona have restored their four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga with an impressive victory over 10-man Villarreal on Sunday.
In a breathless opening, the visitors went ahead 1- 0 in the 12th minute. Hansi Flick’s men opened the goals chart against the run of play when Raphinha converted from the penalty spot after being brought down in the penalty area by Santi Comesana.
Villarreal had gone into the game on a six-match winning streak in La Liga before tasting defeat. They suffered a further blow as they were reduced to 10 men in the 39th minute when former Chelsea youngster Renato Veiga was shown a straight red card for a rash challenge from behind on Lamine Yamal.
The Barcelona teenager later gave his side a breathing space with a second goal that ended the game in the 63rd minute. The youngster poked home calmly from close range after a scramble in the penalty area.
Fourth-placed Villarreal had the opportunity to take the lead early in the game at the Estadio de la Ceramica after creating several early opportunities before Raphinha’s opener.
Former Arsenal forward Nicolas Pepe missed almost a sitter when he headed wide from close range, while ex-Newcastle frontman Ayoze Perez’s goal-bound strike was deflected off target before sending a tame shot into Joan Garcia’s arms from the edge of the box.
Raphinha had a chance to get a brace in the first half, but the Brazilian was unlucky as he rattled the crossbar with a venomous effort from the edge of the penalty area.
However, the home side had the ball in the before half-time when Jules Kounde turned Sergi Cardona’s low cross into his own net, but it was chalked off for an offside against the Villarreal full-back.
After missing from close range earlier, Pepe again struck the bar in a one-on-one with Barcelona goalkeeper Garcia. Although the goal too would have been disallowed for offside after the Ivorian mistimed his run from Dani Parejo’s pass.
The second period was a less frantic affair as Barcelona took control of the affair as they looked to press home their numerical advantage.
Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior was called to action as he made a full stretch to prevent Fermin Lopez from finding the bottom corner not long after the restart.
Yamal then calmed Barcelona’s nerves by settling the outcome by poking the ball into the far corner for his ninth goal of the season in all competitions.
Garcia then stopped Georges Mikautadze from scoring as he denied him in a one-on-one with 13 minutes remaining.
Apart from that threat, Barca comfortably saw out the final stages to stretch their winning La Liga run to eight games.
La Liga will go on holiday till next year as Barcelona will return to action after the winter break against city rivals Espanyol on Saturday, 3 January, while Villarreal travel to Elche earlier that day.
