Barcelona maintained their grip on the LaLiga summit with a controlled 2–0 victory away to Villarreal on Sunday, powered by goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in a match shaped by a first-half red card for the hosts.
The win lifts Barcelona to 46 points, ensuring they finish the year at the top of the table, four points clear of rivals Real Madrid, while Villarreal remains fourth on 35 points.
Barcelona struck early, taking the lead in the 12th minute when Raphinha calmly converted a penalty after Santi Comesaña blocked the winger’s run with his back inside the box.
The balance of the game shifted decisively just before halftime. Villarreal defender Renato Veiga was sent off for a late, mistimed challenge on Yamal, catching the teenager on the foot. The 18-year-old received treatment but was able to continue.
Yamal later delivered the decisive blow in the 63rd minute, reacting quickest to a loose ball after Villarreal failed to clear their lines, slotting home Barcelona’s second goal.
“The red card was indisputable,” Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said. “Lamine has to deal with the hostility, and scoring the second goal was the best response.”
Despite being reduced to 10 men, Villarreal continued to press, with Georges Mikautadze twice denied by goalkeeper Joan Garcia, who produced a pair of sharp saves before a third attempt drifted wide.
“Joan Garcia kept the clean sheet for us,” Flick added. “The team is tired, and we had limited defensive options, but I’m proud of the players. Villarreal is a very strong and quick team, so these three points are very important.”