Barcelona continued their dominance in La Liga with a commanding 5-1 victory over a resurgent Villarreal at La Ceramica.
Despite fielding a rotated squad that left out key players like Pau Cubarsi and Alejandro Balde, the Catalan giants showcased their depth and resilience under head coach Hansi Flick.
The match began with an early strike from Robert Lewandowski, who capitalized on a precise assist from Pablo Torre. Torre, one of three new inclusions in Flick’s starting lineup, expertly set up the Polish striker to put Barcelona ahead.
Lewandowski doubled his tally just 15 minutes later, pouncing on a loose ball during a chaotic sequence in Villarreal’s penalty area.
Villarreal, who came into the match on a good run of form, quickly responded. Ayoze Perez, who joined from Real Betis in the summer, found the back of the net to reduce the deficit, scoring his fourth goal of the season.
The hosts pressed on for an equalizer, but the first half ended on a sour note for Barcelona as their captain, Marc-Andre Ter Stegen, was forced off the field with a severe knee injury, leaving fans and teammates concerned.
Undeterred by the setback, Barcelona surged ahead in the second half. Pablo Torre added to his impressive performance by scoring his first goal for the club just before the hour mark, restoring the visitors’ two-goal cushion.
As the game approached its final stages, Brazilian winger Raphinha made an impact off the bench, scoring two goals in quick succession to seal the emphatic win for the Blaugrana.
This victory solidifies Barcelona’s position at the top of La Liga, extending their lead over second-placed Real Madrid to four points.
It also marks their sixth consecutive league win, a testament to the strong start Flick’s side has made this season.
