Barcelona have fallen to defeat of their first match since changing into La Liga champions, shedding out 3-2 to Villarreal in an exhilarating encounter on the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys.
Loopy first half sees Barcelona overturn Villarreal’s early lead
Hansi Flick named a robust aspect for the match, however contained in the opening 4 minutes. The purpose got here from Ayoze Perez, who continued his wonderful latest kind by ending past Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-Andre Ter Stegen after Nicolas Pepe broke by way of the excessive line.
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Barcelona rallied after that, and past the half hour mark. And it was one other participant on high of their sport that scored: Lamine Yamal. It was a trademark strike from the 17-year-old as he lower inside on his left foot earlier than discovering the far nook for his ninth purpose in La Liga this season.
And proper on half time, Barcelona took the lead in Montjuic. , who volleyed residence from the sting of the penalty space to make it targets in back-to-back matches for him.
Picture through Diario AS
Villarreal hearth again in second half to safe well-known victory
However solely minutes into the second interval, , which got here from Santi Comesana. The midfielder superbly chipped the ball over Ter Stegen after being performed in by Yeremy Pino. And with 10 minutes to go, for the second time, with the purpose coming from Tajon Buchanan, who netted his first purpose for the membership since arriving from Inter through the winter switch window.
Villarreal held on within the closing minutes to make sure a well-known win, and it signifies that they’ve booked their place in subsequent season’s Champions League in fashion. Barcelona will probably be disenchanted to lose in La Liga for the primary time in 2025, however within the grand scheme of issues, it issues little.