Joan Garcia 9, Raphinha 9 | Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona: Player Ratings | OneFootball

Barcelona signed off from 2025 fittingly with a massive win over Villarreal at Estadio de La Ceramica on Sunday evening.

The Catalans dominated the game for the most part, especially after Villarreal were reduced to ten men after Renato Veiga jumped into a vicious challenge on Lamine Yamal.

Yet, they were already in the lead by that point in the game courtesy of a penalty won and converted by Raphinha. Lamine Yamal doubled the lead after the break and put the team even closer to the three points.

The result just before the Christmas break sees Barcelona solidify their position four points clear at the top of the league table at the end of the year.

Barça Universal brings you the player ratings from Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona.

Joan Garcia: 9

The goalkeeper was unfortunately let down by his defence multiple times in the first half, and thereby forced into 1v1 situations. Yet, he stepped up with crucial saves – two in particular – including one from inside the box.

Continued his great form in the second half, making some stunning saves to deny Villarreal and keep the clean sheet.

Alejandro Balde: 7

Balde was constantly put to the test defensively on Sunday as Villarreal looked to build up primarily on his flank utilising the pace of Nicholas Pepe. Struggled at times to get back at times, yet managed to recover on most occasions.

Almost gifted a goal away in the first half when he underhit a back-pass disastrously, but was lucky to see it saved.

Gerard Martin: 6.5

The game against Villarreal was one of Martin’s less impressive performances at centre-back this season – particularly in the first half when the hosts pressed high.

The Spaniard often took too long on the ball to make his decision and was dispossessed by the hosts’ press, while on other occasions he misplayed the pass straight into Villarreal’s hands.

Pau Cubarsi: 7

Cubarsi was decent playing at centre-back, but he too had his set of mistakes at the back that could well have cost the team a goal.

His distribution seemed less impressive than usual with several wayward passes and far too much sideways build-up.

Jules Kounde: 7.5

Kounde had a reasonable showing at right-back and was not as actively called into duty as the other three defenders. Had his freedom to push forward and join in the attack but could not make much of it.

Eric Garcia: 7.5

The Spaniard did well as a defensive pivot for Barcelona, but a part of his game seemed to be lacking with Pedri not on the field.

His distribution and work rate were great as usual, but he did not appear to be in sync with the buildup as much as usual.

Frenkie de Jong: 8

De Jong returned to the starting lineup. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

De Jong returned for his first league start since the game against Celta Vigo and was handed the responsibility of leading Barcelona’s buildup through the middle with Pedri absent.

While he was neat on the ball, he simply could not recreate the same impact as Pedri does on the field and made far too many sideways passes instead of looking for the incisive option. Further, he appeared to be stalling the buildup at the wrong times.

Found a neat pass in a tight situation to tee up Yamal for the team’s second goal.

Fermin Lopez: 7.5

Lopez was handed another chance to redeem himself as the team’s attacking midfielder on the night but his performance was not one that will go down as his best.

His movements were positive, but Lopez simply could not create any threat in front of the goal on the night.

Lamine Yamal: 8.5

Yamal was back on the scoresheet against Villarreal. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Yamal was lively on the right flank but notably did not take on his man as often as one would associate with him.

Constantly looked for the incisive pass with the outside of his boot, albeit to less-than-usual effect. Wove up a wonderful pass that led to Raphinha winning the opening penalty.

Scored past the hour mark with a neat finish off De Jong’s assist to culminate a sequence of pinball in the box.

Raphinha: 9

Raphinha truly transforms Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

The Brazilian was Barcelona’s best player in the first half by some distance as he was neat in possession, crisp with his distribution and lethal with his shots. 

Won a penalty and stepped up for the set-piece, scoring with a near-perfect strike. Should well have had a second soon after but was unlucky to hit the cross-bar in what would have otherwise been a sure-shot goal.

Ferran Torres: 6.5

The shark was barely involved in the action for Barcelona and never really got into open spaces behind the defence. He did not even hit ten passes by half-time and was relatively disappointing in terms of getting into the right positions.