Barcelona had to accept defeat when hosting Villarreal in the 37th week of La Liga 2024/2025 at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Sunday (18/05/2025).
Barcelona played in this match with the status of La Liga 2024/2025 champions. However, they still fielded their best players.
Barcelona’s goals were scored by Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez. Meanwhile, Villarreal’s goals were scored by Ayoze Perez, Santi Comesana, and Tajon Buchanan.
This result keeps Barcelona at the top of the 2024/2025 Spanish League standings with a collection of 85 points. On the other hand, Villarreal is increasingly solid in fifth place with 67 points.
Barcelona opened the match casually. However, they tried to immediately put pressure on Villarreal’s defense by using a high defensive line.
However, this turned out to be a disaster. Villarreal was able to score a goal quickly, precisely in the fourth minute. They attacked from the right wing through Nicolas Pepe who escaped the offside trap. He then gave the ball to Ayoze Perez and without difficulty, Perez scored a goal with his left foot inside the penalty box. 0-1!
Three minutes later, Villarreal threatened again. Alex Baena sent a low cross which was received by Pino’s header. However, the ball still went wide of the target.
In the ninth minute, Barcelona threatened from Fermin Lopez’s shot from inside the penalty box. However, the ball was still blocked by the Villarreal goalkeeper. Barca then continued to play patiently. They tried to control the tempo of the game while looking for a way to break through Villarreal’s defense.
In the 22nd minute, Barca threatened from Lewandowski’s header. However, the opportunity from Eric Garcia’s was still blocked by the Villarreal goalkeeper. In the 34th minute, Eric Garcia also threatened Villarreal’s goal with his header, after receiving a from Pedri. However, again, the opportunity was still thwarted by Luiz Junior.
In the 38th minute, Barcelona finally managed to equalize. After receiving a short from Eric Garcia at the right end of the Villarreal penalty box, Lamine Yamal tricked two opposing players before finally releasing a left-footed shot into the lower right side of Luiz Junior’s goal. 1-1!
In the 45+9 minute, Barca almost scored again. Yamal tricked two Villarreal defenders on the right side of the opponent’s penalty box and fired a shot into the far post. But the ball only hit the goalpost. But a few moments later, Fermin Lopez released a left-footed volley from outside the penalty box and broke through Junior’s goal. 2-1!
This goal also ended the first half. Barcelona 2-1 Villarreal.
In the second half, Villarreal opened the match well. Five minutes after kickoff, they broke through Barcelona’s goal through Santi Comesana. Maximizing Pino’s , he released a left-footed shot from the middle of the penalty box. 2-2!
In the 63rd minute, Barcelona threatened Villarreal’s goal. Fermin Lopez released a right-footed shot after receiving a from Yamal. However, the ball was still blocked by goalkeeper Luiz Junior.
Three minutes later, Barca threatened again, this time via Yamal, who fired a left-footed shot from outside the penalty box. However, the ball was again blocked by the Villarreal goalkeeper.
In the 76th minute, Barca threatened again, and again from Yamal’s action. However, this time his opportunity did not result in a goal.
Unfortunately, Barcelona then conceded in the 80th minute. Villarreal attacked from the left wing and gave a flat to the far post to Tajon Buchanan. With a shot from his right foot, he beat Ter Stegen. 2-3!
Barcelona then tried to catch up. They got about seven minutes of additional time.
However, Barcelona failed to score again. They were defeated 2-3 by Villarreal.
