FC Barcelona go into the Christmas break four points clear of Real Madrid after a solid 2-0 victory at the home of Villarreal, a result that is doubly important because it also puts some distance between themselves and today’s opponents, who with two games in hand are very much part of the title chase.
A first half penalty from Raphinha and a second half goal from Lamine Yamal did the job against a home side that never gave up but was fighting a losing battle from the 39th minute following the sending off of Renato Veiga.
Raphinha from the spot
Much was said in the build-up to this game about Villarreal’s depleted squad, but it didn’t show as the side in yellow created all the early chances. But their threatening start was promptly cut short when the referee pointed straight at the spot after Santi Comesana had sent Raphinha to the ground in the area.
The Brazilian himself took and converted the penalty and moments later struck a fine effort onto the crossbar, further fuelling the injustice of his non-inclusion in the FIFA World XI.
On a six-game winning streak in the league, Villarreal refused to let the goal deter them and for the rest of the first-half they continued to dominate the chances, even finding the net, albeit from an offside position.
Villarreal down to ten men
Barça were ahead but uncomfortable until Veiga pressed the self-destruct button with a vicious tackle from behind on Lamine Yamal for which the referee rightfully produced a red card.
1-0 up and playing against ten men, Barça were now perfectly poised to stretch their remarkable unbeaten run at La Cerámica to seventeen matches.
Lamine doubles the lead
But making the extra man tell was easier said that done. Barça were struggling to create real chances but finally got the break they needed on 63 minutes. Following a bizarre series of exchanges inside the home area, Frenkie de Jong finally got the ball to the feet of Lamine Yamal. There was no messing around as far as the teenager was concerned. One firm kick and Barça were two goals to the good against the meanest defence in the championship.
The game was now as good as over, so every credit goes to Villarreal for battling on, and had it not been for three outstanding interventions by Joan García they could have at least cut the difference.
Instead, with no need for song or dance, Barça held on to claim three very important points at one of the most difficult grounds in LaLiga.
Hansi Flick and his men now take a fortnight’s break and will be back on January 2 for the first game of 2026. And it’s another big one, away to the in-form Espanyol in the Barcelona derby.