The Brazilian suffered a penalty, found the net for the third consecutive La Liga match, hit the crossbar and helped Hansi Flick’s side win 2-0.
When Hansi Flick called it a “joke” the absence of Raphinha In the FIFA team of the year, on Saturday, it seemed that the coach knew that his number 11 would enter the field “bitten” against Villarreal, this Sunday, at the La Cerámica stadium. The Brazilian suffered a penalty, found the net for the third consecutive La Liga match, hit the crossbar and assisted the Barcelona to win 2-0.
With this result, the blue and brown team will end the year on a high note, with eight consecutive victories in La Liga and leading with 46 points, four more than their rival Real Madrid (42) – the next match will be the classic against Espanyol on January 3. Villarreal, with 35, ended a streak of six victories in the national competition and lost third place to Atlético de Madrid, who reached 37 with the 3-0 victory against Girona, also this Sunday.
The showdown between the teams enjoying the best time in La Liga got off to a hectic start, with both looking to attack quickly. The Catalan team used the spaces better and, after 10 minutes, Raphinha suffered a penalty from Rafa Marín. On the kick, he moved his compatriot Luiz Júnior to open the scoring. In the 15th minute, the Brazilian took a risk from outside the area and hit the crossbar.
Little by little, the home team began to control the game and create the best chances, especially with Buchanan, taking advantage of Barcelona’s repeated defensive failures. With Villarreal looking close to a draw, in the 38th minute Renato Veiga chiseled Lamine Yamal and ended up being sent off, dampening the reaction late in the first half.
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Even with one less on the pitch, the team led by Marcelino Toral came back aggressive from the break, putting pressure on the visitors in search of a draw. Shortly after Flick strengthened the attacking sector with the experienced Rashford and Lewandowski, Yamal took advantage of a remaining shot and a rebound in the box to score Barcelona’s second goal, in the 18th minute.
Valiant and eager to prevent their unbeaten run at La Cerámica from being interrupted in the competition, Villarreal continued to create chances, but failed to find Joan García’s excellent defending, including shots from Rafa Marín and Mikautadze. Barcelona, however, managed to manage the advantage to extend their winning streak and clinch the symbolic title of “winter champion” in Spain.
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