The two games between FC Barcelona and Villarreal last season produced a grand total of 15 goals. That was some act to follow, but Sunday produced another gripping game of football between two of the most in-form sides in La Liga. This one had something of everything, and this time the goals tipped very much the blaugrana way. The magnificent start to the campaign continues. Six games in and Barça have done nothing but win, including a massive 16 goals in their last three contests. But there was also a huge downside to the day, a very nasty looking knee injury sustained by Marc André ter Stegen shortly before half-time. As soon as we have full details on the German keeper’s situation, we’ll let you know. That raises the injury list to am agonising eight first team players, and with a suspension to worry about as well, Hansi Flick fielded a somewhat unorthodox opening XI. No fewer than three players, defenders Gerard Martín and Sergi Domínguez plus Pablo Torre in midfield, were all starting league games for the very first time. Not that any of that was going to stop the team from posting yet another top rate performance.
Indeed, it was Torre who brilliantly teed up Robert Lewandowski for the opening goal after 20 frenetic opening minutes. Yeremy Pino had a goal disallowed for offside, Lamine Yamal curled a beauty onto the post and the two goalkeepers were the busiest players on the pitch. It was end-to-end stuff at the Estadio de la Cerámica but it was Barça who were a goal to the good. The chances were flowing thick and fast at both ends, but Barça were creating much more danger with their own and once again had their Polish striker to thank when they beat Diego Conde for the second time. The Villarreal keeper palmed away Eric García’s header, but Lewandowski was ready to stick the rebound home with a semi-bicycle kick from close range. Barça led by two, but the game was so electric that one still feared that that might not be enough.
Indeed, Ayoze Pérez quickly pulled one back for the home side, and they would have been level had it not been a fabulous intervention by Ter Stegen when Nicolas Pépé was clean through on goal. Sadly, that was last contribution that the German keeper would make to this game. Moments later he would be departing on a stretcher and Iñaki Peña would be taking his place. The second half turned out to be just as hectic as the first. Villarreal had a second goal disallowed for offside and hit the crossbar as they pressed hard for an equaliser. But much as their lead was under threat, the Catalans instead extended it! Pablo Torre fired in from the edge of the area. What a moment to claim his first senior goal for the club! Moments later Lamine Yamal was brought down in the area. But a golden opportunity for Lewandowski to complete his hat-trick was directed straight onto the post.
If this game couldn’t get any more dramatic than it already was, Villarreal then had yet another goal scratched for offside before Barça did indeed make it four… and then five. And both times from the boots of the same man. Raphinha, now wearing the captain’s arm-band in Ter Stegen’s absence, is having a sensational season. And that was two more goals in his account. Barça have not played a competitive fixture this term in which the Brazilian hasn’t either scored or given an assist. Phenomenal. All in all, a wonderful footballing spectacle from both sides, and in a match where absolutely anything could have happened, it was immensely refreshing to see how Barça managed to stamp their authority to win in such convincing style. Don’t forget, there’s more football to come on Wednesday as Barça take on Getafe at the Estadi Olimpic at 9pm CEST. It’s been a brilliant season so far… More of the same please!
Barcelona’s Dominance in La Liga
Barcelona maintained their perfect start in LaLiga as forwards Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha both scored twice to help them thrash hosts Villarreal 5-1 in a highly entertaining clash on Sunday. Lewandowski found the net twice inside 35 minutes before Villarreal pulled a quick one back through Ayoze Pérez but Pablo Torre made it 3-1 after the break and Raphinha completed the rout for Barca with two goals late in the second half. Hansi Flick's side extended their winning streak in the league to six games as they bounced back from their 2-1 loss against Monaco in the Champions League on Thursday. Barcelona remain top of the standings on 18 points as they preserved a four-point lead over defending champions Real Madrid in second. Villarreal, who were handed their first LaLiga loss of the season, are fifth with 11 points.
Key Injuries for Both Teams
The visitors lost goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen just before half-time after the German keeper fell and was visibly in pain as he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher. Depleted Barca were already without new signing Dani Olmo, sidelined with a right hamstring injury, and fellow midfielders Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, Marc Bernal and Fermín López, as well as defenders Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen. Villarreal proved to be challenging opponents, dangerous on counter-attack and had three goals disallowed throughout the game for minimal offside.
A Dominant Performance by Barcelona
Barcelona entered the game with a heavily depleted squad. Key midfielders Dani Olmo, Gavi, Frenkie de Jong, and Fermin Lopez are sidelined with injuries, while Ronald Araujo and Andreas Christensen are also out in defense. To make matters worse, Ferran Torres is suspended after his red card against Girona. Barcelona will look to recover from their midweek Champions League loss. Despite a strong start under new coach Hansi Flick, the Catalans suffered their first setback of the season, losing 2-1 to Monaco in their European opener. An early red card for Eric Garcia left Barcelona down to 10 men, and while Lamine Yamal scored his first Champions League goal, it wasn't enough to avoid defeat.
Barcelona's Unbeaten Run Continues
However, Barcelona's domestic form remains flawless, having won all five of their LaLiga matches. They sit at the top of the table, and no matter the result against Villarreal, they are guaranteed to stay in first place this weekend. Villarreal, meanwhile, have also enjoyed a solid start to the season, going unbeaten with three wins and two draws, putting them just four points behind Barcelona. It should be a very well-matched encounter at La Ceramica. Villarreal are more than capable of causing problems, although Barcelona have been faultless in La Liga so far – can they keep that run going?
The Turning Point of the Match
The first of them took place in the eighth minute when Yeremy Pino thought he gave the hosts a shock lead after the midfielder lobbed Ter Stegen just to see the flag go up. Lewandowski then opened the scoring after 20 minutes with a simple first-time finish and added a second in the 35th with an overhead kick from close range after the ball bounced off goalkeeper Diego Conde. The Polish striker, who on this day nine years ago scored world record-setting five goals in the space of nine minutes for Bayern Munich, moved top of the scorers' standings on six goals in six games. Villarreal were far from giving up and Perez pulled a goal back in the 38th minute before brilliant Ter Stegen denied Nicolas Pépé from levelling just before the break.
A Dominant Second Half Performance
Barca, however, yet again proved unstoppable and Torre added a third with a shot from outside the box in the 58th minute before Raphinha netted his fourth and fifth goals of the campaign to seal the win. Lewandowski could have scored his only second LaLiga hat-trick since he joined in 2022 when he executed a penalty after a foul on Lamine Yamal but he hit the post instead. Barcelona have won their first six games of the campaign for the first time since 2017-18, and only for the eighth time in total. It was a dominant performance by Barcelona, who were able to overcome a difficult start to the game and a number of injuries to their key players. The victory was a testament to their strength in depth and their ability to adapt to different situations. The Catalans are now looking forward to their next game against Getafe, where they will be hoping to continue their winning streak and cement their position at the top of the table.
A Thrilling Match Filled With Drama
Luis García explains how Barcelona have progressed since last season after their 5-1 win over Villarreal. It was a thrilling match filled with drama. Villarreal fought hard, but ultimately Barcelona’s quality proved too much for them. This win is a sign that Barcelona are back to their best, and they will be a force to be reckoned with in La Liga this season.
