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Final score: Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona
Goals: Luis Suarez 72' (Barcelona), Lionel Messi 83' (Barcelona)
Lionel Messi equalled Gerd Muller's record for scoring most goals (525) for one club in Europe's top 5 leagues, helping Barcelona to a 2-0 win over Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Ernesto Valverde made six changes to the lineup that faced Sporting CP in the midweek UEFA Champions League game, as Lionel Messi returned to the starting lineup. On the other hand, Pablo Fornals, and Bruno Soriano were absent for the Yellow Submarines.
Both teams had their chances in the first half and Villarreal looked likely to open the scoring. Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a couple of brilliant saves early in the game and it stayed 0-0 at the halftime.
Dani Raba's 60th minute sending off changed the complexion of the game as Barcelona capitalized on the man advantage to put 2 past Sergio Asenjo to restore their 5-point lead in La Liga.
Let's see the 5 main talking point of this fixture:
#5 Villarreal failed to score despite an excellent first half
The visitors began on the front foot as Gerard Pique smashed the crossbar just 4 minutes into the game. After an early scare, Villarreal settled well and began to create chances of their own.
Raba forced ter Stegen into an easy save in the 7th minute and Roberto Soriano came close to putting the hosts in front, in the 16th minute.
Villarreal threatened again in the 26th minute but Roberto Soriano failed to make contact with an inswinging cross. Villarreal were threatening on the counter, but lacked the final bite.
They had a couple of more opportunities in the 36th and 45th minute respectively, but were wasteful in front of goal throughout the first-half. Barca had their moments as well, but the game stayed 0-0 at half-time
#4 Ballon d'Or or no Ballon d'Or, Messi does his business
Lionel Messi was the saviour again for Barcelona as he produced a stunning display at the Estadio de la Ceramica. He tested Asenjo with a brilliant free kick in the 22nd minute and proved to be a constant threat for Javi Calleja's side.
Messi nearly punished Villarreal late in the first half but his shot went just wide of the upright. Messi's influence on the game steadily increased in the second-half, and he started dictating the play. He created a lot of opportunities in the second-half and the Barcelona goal looked inevitable.
He started the attack that led to Suarez's goal in the 72nd-minute and wrapped the game up in the 83rd minute, dancing past Ruiz and Alvaro to put the ball in the back of the net. Another solid display from the Argentine.
Lionel Messi's stats:
Goals - 1
Key Passes - 3
Shots - 6
Dribbles - 7
Total Passes - 86
#3 Dani Raba's sending off
In spite of some good chances, Barcelona struggled to break down Villarreal's defence and the game looked even until the 60th minute.
But a moment of madness from Villarreal's Daniel Raba swung the game completely. Raba made a late challenge on Sergio Busquets and was sent-off by the referee without any hesitation. It was high and dangerous - and looked a straightforward decision by the referee.
It was all Barcelona after the sending off as they took control of the game in the last 30 minutes. They created chance after chance and struck in the 72nd minute, as 10-men Villarreal could not hold the fort for long. Eventually, it finished 2-0 in favour of Barcelona
#2 Marc-Andre ter Stegen was impressive but Paulinho disappoints
The German shot-stopper is one of the best goalkeepers in the world right now. He is in great form and the primary reason behind Barcelona's great defensive record this season.
He saved Barcelona on more than one occasion at the Estadio de la Ceramica and kept yet another clean sheet. Villarreal started well in the first half, and ter Stegen made a couple of good saves early in the game to keep Raba and Soriano at bay.
He was constantly tested by Roberto Soriano in the first half and late in the game by Manu Trigueros but he thwarted every Villarreal attempt.
On the other hand, Paulinho had a game to forget and was completely invisible for the most part of the game. Busquets and Rakitic ran the midfield show for Barcelona as Paulinho struggled to get himself involved. He was rightly taken off in the 68th minute.
Paulinho's stats:
Tackles - 1
Key Passes - 0
Crosses - 0
Fouls - 3
Shots - 0
#1 Roberto Soriano substituted in the 64th minute
He was the most impressive Villarreal player on the pitch on Sunday evening. He brought an outstanding save out of ter Stegan in the 16th minute with a firm effort on goal and never stopped running.
He was threatening on the counter-attack with dashing runs and gave Jordi Alba a hard time. He constantly tested ter Stegen and never gave a moment of peace to Barcelona's defence. However, he was let down by the final ball and his shooting was wayward.
His evening came to a premature end as manager Javier Calleja opted for a more defensive approach after Raba was sent off, replacing Soriano with Antonio Rukavina. With Soriano gone, Villareal looked flat and rarely threatened Barcelona. All in all, it was a very impressive performance by the 26-year-old winger.
