Villarreal battle but fall to Barça (4-1) | OneFootball

The cutting edge of FC Barcelona denies the Submarine a reward at the Spotify Camp Nou

Villarreal showed courage and ambition against FC Barcelona but ultimately left empty handed on their return to the Spotify Camp Nou (4-1). A hat trick from Lamine Yamal and a late strike from Robert Lewandowski proved decisive against a Submarine side that made an excellent start and even pulled a goal back through Pape Gueye early in the second half. It was not enough. Barça’s clinical edge made the difference in an open, entertaining contest.

The Submarine travelled to Catalonia on the back of consecutive wins over Valencia (2-1) and Levante (0-1) in a thrilling week of regional derbies. The Yellows approached the challenge with belief, aiming to become the first team to take points away from FC Barcelona at home in LALIGA EA Sports this season. The league leaders had won all 12 of their previous home fixtures, a formidable record that underlined the magnitude of the task facing Marcelino’s men.

The Yellows were back at the Spotify Camp Nou, still undergoing renovation works, after two seasons playing against Barça at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. It was a venue where Villarreal had earned two prestigious victories, both in vibrant and open encounters that went their way. Last season’s triumph there sealed the club’s return to the UEFA Champions League.

The early stages were open and finely balanced. The home side dominated possession and committed numbers high up the pitch, while Villarreal defended compactly and looked to break quickly on the counter attack.

One such transition almost paid off in the 11th minute. Pepe produced a superb through ball for Mikautadze, who drove into the box and squared for Moleiro. The Tenerife born midfielder laid it off swiftly to Cardona, whose cross shot was blocked by Koundé.

Despite Villarreal’s bright start, FC Barcelona capitalised on a loose moment before the half hour. Fermín dispossessed Gueye in a dangerous area and quickly slipped a pass into space for Lamine Yamal, who controlled, advanced into the box and finished past Luiz Júnior. A harsh blow for a Villarreal side that had been fully engaged in the contest.

Ten minutes later, Lamine Yamal struck again with a fine individual effort. Cutting in from the flank, he evaded Cardona and Moleiro before finding the space to unleash a precise shot into the top corner, leaving Luiz Júnior with no chance.

It echoed the script of the reverse fixture, with FC Barcelona punishing Villarreal’s positive opening through efficiency and individual quality. The Yellows went into the break two goals down.

The second half began at high tempo. Luiz Júnior prevented a third with an excellent save from Dani Olmo after a cross from Jules Koundé. That intervention proved pivotal, as Villarreal responded almost immediately.

In the 48th minute, Pape Gueye turned home a loose ball in the box following a right wing corner to make it 2-1. The goal brought Villarreal right back into the game and opened up a new phase of the match. Six minutes later, Ayoze had a clear chance to level. The Tenerife forward chased a loose ball and, with Joan García off his line, sent his long range effort narrowly wide.

While Gueye’s goal lifted the visitors, it did not alter the hosts’ approach. Luiz Júnior was called into action again, denying Ferran in a one on one after a superb through ball from Raphinha.

In the 70th minute, Lamine Yamal completed his hat trick, breaking into space, controlling a precise pass and finishing confidently to make it 3-1.

In the closing stages, FC Barcelona managed the game through possession, limiting Villarreal’s opportunities to reduce the deficit. Lewandowski added a fourth late on to seal the result on the Submarine’s return to the Spotify Camp Nou.