Raphinha and Lamine Yamal score as Barcelona beat Villarreal 2-0 to go four points clear at the top of La Liga before the winter break
BARCELONA extended their lead at the top of La Liga with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Villarreal on Sunday.
The win, secured by goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, sends the Catalan side four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid.
Brazilian winger Raphinha won and converted an early penalty to give the visitors a 12th-minute lead.
Villarreal’s task was made harder when Renato Veiga was sent off before half-time for a late foul on teenager Yamal.
The 18-year-old Yamal then sealed the points by slotting home Barcelona’s second goal midway through the second half.
The result marks Barcelona’s eighth consecutive league victory under coach Hansi Flick.
“We’re happy because we finish the year as leaders, which was our objective, and now we can rest,” said Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong.
Villarreal, who suffered their first home league defeat of the season, remain fourth in the table.
The match was played at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica after plans to stage it in Miami were scrapped in October.
Barcelona goalkeeper Joan Garcia produced several key saves to preserve the clean sheet.
He denied efforts from Tajon Buchanan, Rafa Marin, and Georges Mikautadze throughout the match.
Defender Jules Kounde also made a crucial first-half block to stop a shot from Villarreal striker Ayoze Perez.
Kounde was later forced off with an injury, adding to Barcelona’s defensive concerns.
The champions had a scare when a Kounde deflection flew into his own net, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
Raphinha had earlier struck the crossbar with a superb long-range effort as he dominated the first half.
“We’re hurt by the result, our first home defeat, right before we go on holiday,” said Villarreal midfielder Dani Parejo.
Barcelona end 2025 top of La Liga and with three consecutive clean sheets across all competitions.
