A prime Barcelona performance as they score 5 past Villareal

Barcelona hammered Villarreal to keep their 100% record in La Liga, but Barca wall Marc-Andre ter Stegen suffered a “severe injury” and was carried off on a stretcher.

Barcelona secured an impressive victory over Villarreal, winning 5-1, and reaffirming their position at the top of La Liga, four points clear of reigning champions Real Madrid.

After a tough Champions League defeat to Monaco, where Barcelona had to play with 10 men, this dominant display marked a perfect response for Hansi Flick’s side.

Lewandowski Leads Barca’s Attack

Barcelona began their charge early, with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal hitting the woodwork and Raphinha seeing his effort cleared off the line. The breakthrough came in the 20th minute, when Robert Lewandowski converted from a fine Pablo Torre pass.

Fifteen minutes later, Lewandowski doubled his tally, acrobatically finishing a rebound after Eric Garcia’s effort was parried by Villarreal goalkeeper Diego Conde.

Despite Barcelona’s dominance, Villarreal, who had been undefeated in their first five La Liga matches, responded quickly. Former Newcastle and Leicester City winger Ayoze Pérez pulled one back in the 38th minute, finishing Pepe Reina’s low cross with a first-time shot.

Torre and Raphinha Shine

Villarreal pressed for an equalizer, with Yeremy Pino coming close by heading against the crossbar. However, Torre restored Barcelona’s two-goal advantage before halftime.

Barcelona had further chances, with Lewandowski missing a penalty after Yamal was fouled by Eric Bailly. Raphinha sealed the win in style, scoring twice in the final nine minutes to complete a dominant performance.

Lewandowski on Barca’s New Approach

Reflecting on the victory, Lewandowski emphasized the team’s focus on attacking more directly this season: “We’re looking to get the ball into the box quicker this season, and that’s my zone. That’s where I want to have more contact with the ball.”

This win places Barcelona firmly in control of the La Liga title race, while their attack continues to evolve under Flick’s management.