Villarreal 0-2 FC Barcelona: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Dive into Bwin’s post-match review of Villarreal 0-2 FC Barcelona in the La Liga on Sunday, 21 December 2025, with stats, key moments and our take on the match.

FC Barcelona secured a 2-0 victory over Villarreal in this La Liga encounter. The visitors took an early lead when Raphinha converted a penalty in the 12th minute, setting a dominant tone that aligned with Barcelona’s impressive recent form of five straight league wins. Villarreal struggled to respond, and the game shifted further in Barcelona’s favour when Renato Veiga received a red card in the 39th minute, leaving the hosts with ten men for the remainder of the match.

In the second half, Barcelona extended their advantage as Lamine Yamal scored in the 63rd minute, assisted by Frenkie de Jong, shortly after substitutions that saw Robert Lewandowski replace Ferran Torres and Marcus Rashford come on for Fermín López. Villarreal made changes of their own, with Georges Mikautadze replacing Ayoze Pérez in the 64th minute, followed by Carlos Macià for Dani Parejo and Tani Oluwaseyi for Nicolas Pépé in the 75th, but they could not mount a comeback. This defeat ends Villarreal’s run of four consecutive league wins, while Barcelona continue their strong momentum at the top.

Barcelona’s overwhelming 79% possession underlined their control throughout the match, allowing them to dictate the tempo and create numerous opportunities, as evidenced by their 10 corners compared to Villarreal’s five. The visitors also edged successful dribbles with 61 to Villarreal’s 55, highlighting their effectiveness in breaking lines, while the penalty scored by Barcelona proved decisive in a game where assists were limited to just one for the away side. Cards played a role too, with each team picking up one yellow, but Villarreal’s red card disrupted their structure, and both sides used substitutions efficiently—Villarreal with three changes and Barcelona with four—to manage the game’s demands.

The match’s opening goal came early for Barcelona, with Raphinha scoring from the penalty spot in the 12th minute to give them a lead they never relinquished. A major turning point arrived in the 39th minute when Villarreal’s Renato Veiga was sent off with a red card, reducing the hosts to ten players and tilting the balance further. Barcelona capitalised in the second half, as Lamine Yamal netted their second in the 63rd minute with an assist from Frenkie de Jong, following key substitutions like Robert Lewandowski replacing Ferran Torres at 62 minutes and Marcus Rashford coming on for Fermín López at 63 minutes.

Villarreal attempted to regroup with Georges Mikautadze replacing Ayoze Pérez at 64 minutes, and later Carlos Macià for Dani Parejo alongside Tani Oluwaseyi for Nicolas Pépé at 75 minutes, but these changes could not spark a recovery. Yellow cards were shown to Frenkie de Jong in the 58th minute and Tajon Buchanan in the 73rd, adding to the tension without altering the outcome.

Villarreal lined up in a 4-4-2 formation, aiming for solidity in midfield where Dani Parejo played a key role before his substitution, while forwards like Ayoze Pérez and Nicolas Pépé sought to exploit spaces on the counter. Renato Veiga’s involvement in defence ended prematurely due to his red card, disrupting partnerships at the back. Players such as Tajon Buchanan contributed in wide areas, though the setup struggled against Barcelona’s pressure.

FC Barcelona deployed a 4-2-3-1 shape, with Frenkie de Jong anchoring the midfield and providing the assist for Lamine Yamal’s goal, while Raphinha’s early penalty highlighted the attacking threat from the flanks. Jules Koundé and Eric García featured in defence before their substitutions, supporting a system that allowed creative outlets like Fermín López before he made way. This formation enabled strong partnerships in transition, with Lamine Yamal shining in an advanced role.

Bwin’s Man of the Match was Lamine Yamal, who stood out for Barcelona with his goal in the 63rd minute, alongside six key passes that helped unlock Villarreal’s defence. Although he created no big chances and recorded no assists, his overall contribution was pivotal in maintaining pressure and securing the win. Yamal’s performance built on Barcelona’s dominance, making him the clear choice for the award.

Recent La Liga matches:

• Loss: 0-2 vs FC Barcelona (H)
• Win: 2-0 vs Getafe (H)
• Win: 3-2 vs Real Sociedad (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs Mallorca (H)
• Win: 2-0 vs Espanyol (A)

Recent La Liga matches:

• Win: 2-0 vs Villarreal (A)
• Win: 2-0 vs Osasuna (H)
• Win: 5-3 vs Real Betis (A)
• Win: 3-1 vs Atlético Madrid (H)
• Win: 3-1 vs Deportivo Alavés (H)

Villarreal, currently fourth on 35 points, have just suffered a 0-2 home defeat to FC Barcelona, halting their streak of four league wins that had boosted their European ambitions. They now face Elche on 3 January 2026 at 17:30, with the visitors sitting ninth on 22 points and posing a test for Villarreal’s push to maintain a top-four spot. A positive result could help them regain momentum and keep the pressure on the teams above.

FC Barcelona, leading the table on 46 points, have just claimed a 2-0 away win over Villarreal, extending their run of five consecutive league victories and solidifying their title charge. Their next challenge is against Espanyol on 3 January 2026 at 20:00, with the opponents in fifth on 30 points and capable of causing problems. Barcelona will aim to continue their form and widen the gap at the summit with another strong performance.

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