Summary

  • Barcelona looking to restore four-point lead at top

  • In-form Villarreal sit fourth, with two games in hand on Real and Atletico above them

  1. FULL-TIMEpublished at 17:10 GMT

    Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona

    The full-time whistle goes.

    Real Madrid's 2-0 victory over Sevilla on Saturday night cut the gap at the top of La Liga to a point.

    However, Barcelona's win over Villarreal by the same scoreline has restored their four-point cushion.

  2. Postpublished at 17:08 GMT

    Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona

    Into injury time at the Estadio de la Ceramica and Barcelona look home and hosed here.

  3. Postpublished at 17:07 GMT

    Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona

    Terry Gibson
    Ex-Wimbledon forward on Premier Sports commentary

    Frenkie de Jong has been key, I think at half time Hans-Dieter Flick has said to the Barcelona players just give de Jong the ball. His passing has always been accurate.

  4. CLOSE!published at 17:06 GMT

    Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona

    Marcus Rashford goes close with a late chance after outfoxing Villarreal Luiz Junior with a deft clipped finish from a tight angle.

    However, the on-loan Manchester Untied striker cannot quite generate enough power and the ball is cleared off the line.

  5. Postpublished at 17:01 GMT

    Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona

    Terry Gibson
    Ex-Wimbledon forward on Premier Sports commentary

    I still think because Villarreal are not in the Champions League, Copa del Rey, or the Spanish Super Cup, they're just going to focus on league games. It doesn't put them out of the title race, they're a good squad with an outstanding manager.

  6. Postpublished at 17:00 GMT

    Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona

    A long spell of possession from Barcelona draws 'oles' from the visiting fans, stationed high in the stand behind one of the goals.

    Villarreal eventually win the ball back but give it away almost immediately with a hasty hoof forward.

  7. Postpublished at 16:57 GMT

    Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona

    There's 10 minutes to go. Barcelona will want to monopolise possession and snuff out any hope Villarreal have of creating some late drama.

  8. Postpublished at 16:56 GMT

    Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona

    Terry Gibson
    Ex-Wimbledon forward on Premier Sports commentary

    Elite football that, cross field pass and movement off the ball by Barcelona.

  9. Postpublished at 16:56 GMT

    Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona

    End-to-end stuff. Marcus Rahsford is picked out from a corner routine and strikes a volleyed effort wide of the post.

  10. GREAT SAVE!published at 16:53 GMT

    Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona

    The 10 men of Villarreal are not throwing in the towel, here.

    Joan Garcia is called into action - making a fine double save to deny Georges Mikautadze then Sergi Cardona.

  11. Postpublished at 16:50 GMT

    Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona

    Marcus Rashford whips a free-kick into the box but Villarreal are able to clear their lines. A daisy cutter from Raphinha flashes past the post moments later.

  12. GREAT SAVE!published at 16:46 GMT

    Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona

    Joan Garcia with a tremendous point-blank save to deny Rafa Marin.

    However, it would not have stood as Marin was in an offside position.

    Lamine Yamal's goal is his seventh in La Liga this season.

  13. Postpublished at 16:42 GMT

    Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona

    Terry Gibson
    Ex-Wimbledon forward on Premier Sports commentary

    It's been a tough game for Lamine Yamal, he's had some bright moments and was the recipient of that bad tackle by Renato Veiga.

    It's a bad goal for Villarreal to concede. If they could keep the ball in the danger area.

  14. goal

    GOAL - Villarreal 0-2 Barcelonapublished at 16:39 GMT

    Lamine Yamal

    There's a bit of a scramble inside the Villarreal box with the ball pinging round like a bagatelle.

    Lamine Yamal shows good composure and whips a finish through a crowded area after being teed up by Frenkie de Jong.

    Hard to see anything but a Barcelona victory now, even with 25 minutes left in this contest.

    Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona celebrates scoring his team's second goal during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio de la Ceramica on December 21, 2025 in Villarreal, Spain.Image source, Getty Images
  15. SUBSTITUTIONpublished at 16:38 GMT

    Villarreal 0-1 Barcelona

    Hansi Flick makes a double substitution.

    Marcus Rashford and Robert Lewandowski are both brought on. Fermin Lopez and Eric Garcia the players to make way.

  16. Postpublished at 16:34 GMT

    Villarreal 0-1 Barcelona

    Marcus Rashford looks poised to come on for Barcelona as they look for a bit more attacking impetus with this game drifting a little.

    Villarreal are just hanging in there at the moment, seeing out time, before a bit of a push as the game wears on.

  17. Postpublished at 16:30 GMT

    Villarreal 0-1 Barcelona

    The 10 men of Villarreal still have fleeting moments of attacking threat. Nicolas Pepe breaks clear after chasing a ball over the top but Joan Garcia is quickly off is line to gather.

  18. Postpublished at 16:27 GMT

    Villarreal 0-1 Barcelona

    Terry Gibson
    Ex-Wimbledon forward on Premier Sports commentary

    It's a young Barcelona team that can get carried away. That's maybe why Robert Lewandowski is warming up.

  19. Postpublished at 16:27 GMT

    Villarreal 0-1 Barcelona

    Villarreal have retreated a little deeper into their half of the pitch in the second half.

    Lamine Yamal's quicksilver feet are causing problems for Villarreal, but despite his trickery the home side's defence are standing firm.

    Lamine Yamal of FC Barcelona competes for the ball with Alberto Moleiro of Villarreal CF during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Villarreal CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio de la Ceramica on December 21, 2025 in Villarreal, Spain.Image source, Getty Images
  20. KICK-OFFpublished at 16:21 GMT

    Villarreal 0-1 Barcelona

    We are back under way at the Estadio de la Ceramica.