During a dramatic visit to La Cerámica, Barcelona secured a 3-4 victory in a clash that epitomized attacking football from both sides. The hosts faced an early deficit, slipping to 0-2 before mounting a comeback that kept fans on the edge of their seats. It was a match that demanded relentless aggression and quick thinking, ending with an exhilarating late twist as Barcelona prevailed.
The contest showcased the rising confidence of Yamine Lamal, Barcelona’s standout performer, who marked another landmark evening as Villarreal pressed forward with purpose. The 16-year-old Villarreal talent could not break through the late-set back line, and the hosts had not managed to beat Barcelona at La Cerámica since 2007, painting this match with an extra layer of history and tension.
Villarreal opened with swift transitions that caught Barcelona off guard at the start, propelling them into the Barça half with clear intent. Just four minutes in, a VAR call overturned Sorloth’s early goal, and soon after Baena and the Norwegian forward were looming for more chances. The home defense looked scramble-prone, but they held firm long enough to force Barca to rethink their approach.
Barca found themselves punished for some loose defending, and Villarreal’s pressure paid off as they pushed to turn the early momentum into tangible goals. In the first quarter-hour, the visitors leaped ahead by two goals, a brutal blow to the locals who had hoped to protect their fortress. The gifted nature of the opening sequence underscored the high-stakes atmosphere of the fixture.
Gavi orchestrated a clever sequence from the left, delivering a cross that Yamal met at the top of the penalty area. The ball nestled past the far post, but De Jong followed up, collecting a rebound and finishing from the spot to make it 0-2. The tone of the game shifted instantly, and the crowd began to sense a possible shift in momentum as Barcelona began to take control of possession and tempo.
Barcelona’s command grew as the match swung in their direction. They began pressing higher and playing with a calmer rhythm, while Villarreal found themselves defending a wave after wave of pressure. Ter Stegen faced moments of danger when a well-worked corner routine from Foyth tested the keeper, who could not convert with his foot despite straining to find a finishing touch. The eleventh-hour close call amplified the sense of urgency for both sides as the first half wore on, and Pedraza delivered a left-flank outlet that kept Villarreal’s attacking options alive.
The home side finally breached through with a spectacular team turn, Girona-like in its execution, as a measured pass from Gerard cut through the press, and Pedraza supplied the decisive assist for Sorloth, who found the net to bring the score level just before halftime. The mood in the stadium swung from disbelief to cautious optimism as fans anticipated a second period that could tilt either way.
When the action resumed, the match retained its frenetic pace. Barcelona looked for the knockout blow, yet Villarreal replied with speed and precision, forcing a tense back-and-forth that excited the masses. Five minutes after the restart, Pedraza delivered again, initiating a move that started on his own half and cut across the pitch. The ball found Álex Baena on the left, and his curling effort completed the comeback for the hosts, sending the crowd into a frenzy and reasserting Villarreal’s resolve.
The game continued to bubble as Yamine Lamal tested the keeper with a long-range attempt that skimmed the crossbar, followed by Lewandowski forcing Jorgensen into a challenging save. The balance seemed to tilt in Barcelona’s favor only to swing once more as Villarreal defended stubbornly and looked to capitalize on counterattacks. The bench erupted in excitement when Oriol Romeu entered the fray, and his leadership helped Barca seek another breakthrough with renewed vibrancy.
Setien’s substitutions injected fresh energy as the match edge grew sharper. Yamal again conjured a moment of brilliance, taking a shot from distance that nearly beat Jorgensen, who managed to deflect the ball onto the post. The rebound fell to Lewandowski, who wasted little time in lifting the ball into the net and restoring a one-goal gap with minutes remaining. The decibel levels rose as Barcelona pressed for a late winner to complete the comeback in a match that would be talked about for years to come.
Villarreal pushed back with their best efforts, seeking an equaliser that would salvage a point from this enthralling contest. The hosts remained resolute, absorbing pressure and looking to exploit any loose ball in the final third. Barcelona, meanwhile, defended with discipline and faith in the finishing quality of their attackers to seal a remarkable 3-4 result on the road.
— Data sheet —
3 – Villarreal: Jorgensen, Foyth, Gabbia, Cuenca, Pedraza; Capoue, Comesaña, Terrats, Denis Suárez, Álex Baena, Sorloth, Gerard. Substitutions: Brereton, Morales, Akhomach, and others were used as the match progressed.
4 – Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Sergi Roberto, Kounde, Christensen, Marcos Alonso; Gavi, Oriol Romeu, De Jong, Gundogan, Lamine Yamal, Lewandowski. Substitutions: Ferran Torres, Ansu Fati, Fermin, and others provided impact as the game unfolded.
Goals: 0-1, 12th minute: Gavi. 0-2, 15th minute: De Jong. 1-2, 26th minute: Foyth. 2-2, 40th minute: Sorloth. 3-2, 50th minute: Baena. 3-3, 68th minute: Ferran. 3-4, 71st minute: Lewandowski.
Referee: Alejandro José Hernández Hernández. Cautions: Foyth, Gabbia, Terrats for Villarreal; Lamal, Eric García, Lewandowski for Barcelona. Highlights: The match coincided with the third day of EA Sports LaLiga, held at La Cerámica with a crowd of 21,679 spectators.