Barcelona vs Villarreal summary: Lewandowski double, score, goals, highlights, LaLiga Santander 2022/23
Full time - Barcelona 3 (Lewandowski 2, Fati) Villarreal 0
Damage done before half-time. An energetic display from Barcelona as they get somewhat back on track after their weekend disappointment. Three goals in less than 10 first-half minutes effectively killed off a game which looked to be in the balance early on. Villarreal's carelessness in the final third cost them several clear sights of goal, with the Barça defence looking fairly shaky in the first 45 minutes. At the other end, two world-class finishes from Robert Lewandowski put Los Azulgranas firmly in charge and there was never going to be much doubt about the outcome once Ansu Fati added a third.
The second half was a less entertaining affair, with Villarreal never seriously threatening Marc Andre Ter Stegen's goal until stoppage time. Xavi will be pleased with a tighter defensive display in the second half, which should restore some confidence ahead of another tough run of games.
Hard to argue. De Jong was on top form in midfield tonight.
How to endear yourself to your new fans. Score loads of goals. Sing the club anthem.
A night to forget for Villarreal
Villarreal's strong start to the season looks to be a thing of the past; they've now only won one of their last six LaLiga games. They have had a fairly lengthy injury list to contend with though, so Unai Emery will hope that results start to improve again once the treatment room empties a little. The Yellow Submarine host Almería at the weekend before taking on Hapoel Be'er Sheva in the Europa Conference League; they've already qualified for the knockout stages.
What next for Barcelona?
Barcelona headed into this game on the back of conceding six goals in two games against Inter and Real Madrid, which turned a fairly positive start of the season into worrying one. Xavi's men next play host to Athletic Club before a crucial Champions League group game at home to Bayern Munich. Anything other than a victory and they'll probably be out, although even that may not be enough in the end. Given that the club doesn't have its financial issues to seek, not qualifying for the knockout stages would be a disaster in more ways than one.
League standings
Where does tonight's result leave us, then?
Barcelona remain in second spot,they've closed the gap on Real Madrid to three points and are three points ahead of third-placed Real Sociedad.
Villarreal could've gone up to sixth but, with Osasuna winning earlier, have instead dropped down to ninth. They are three points behind Athletic Club, who occupy sixth, the last Europa League spot, and a point behind Osasuna, who are sit in the Europa Conference League place in seventh.
Ansu Fati wasn't half bad either. He deserves an injury-free spell to really show what he can do. Although tonight's goal was rather fortunate...
Lewandowski was back to his best tonight. If you've not seen them, have a look for those two goals. Superb.
We almost managed to finish the game without a booking. But we haven't. Pau Torres' name is taken for hacking down Raphinha as he raced towards goal.
It's really not Villarreal's night. Morales has barely touched the ball since coming on but he finds himself alone in front of goal, eight or so yards out. He misses the target and that sums things up for the visitors.
All that build-up and it's deflected out for a corner, which comes to nothing. This game is petering out.
Free-kick in a dangerous position to Barcelona! Raphinha over it. Pedri over it.
To be fair to Ferran, he did score at the Bernabéu and he got into a great position again there. His attempted scoop would've looked great if it had come off but it's blocked away for a corner. From that corner, Pedri drives a yard or so wide.
We've seen Ferran Torres play the old 'false nine' role with Spain and now he's getting a chance to do the same with Barcelona. Don't think he's going to get in ahead of Lewandowski any time soon, mind you.
Changes coming thick and fast as Aissa Mandi is next on for Villarreal. Veteran stopper Raúl Albiol goes off.
How has Raphinha missed that one? Dembélé lays it on a plate for his mate just a few yards from goal. The Brazilian somehow doesn't get enough it and the ball drifts wide. That should've been four.
Piqué on
And now, a rare sighting of a Gerard Piqué. A few whistles...Koundé is the man who goes off.
Barça's goalscorers depart
Some respite for the Villarreal defence? Lewandowski and Fati have got their goals and are taken off. Raphinha and Dembélé, two of the biggest losers (in terms of starting spots) from El Clásico, come on.
Chance for Villarreal! Parejo slings in a much better free-kick this time and Baena gets a head to it. He can't keep it down though and Ter Stegen avoids using his hands once more.
First changes for Barcelona
Héctor Bellerín makes his own comeback from injury, replacing Sergi Roberto. And Sergio Busquets takes over from De Jong in midfield.
A small sign of life from Villarreal. Yeremy wriggles away from Alba and into the box but his cross is cut out by Alonso. The Yellow Submarine need more.
Ter Stegen has been a virtual spectator in the Barça goal so far this evening. He's had a couple of touches with his feet in the last few minutes, I think he's touched the ball more with his feet than with his hands so far.
For the first time in the game, the pace has dropped a bit. Barça don't need to force things and still have plenty of big games coming up really soon. No sign of a Villarreal comeback, however.
Another straight ball over the top almost causes problems for Barça, the first one in the second half. But Koundé is fast enough to get back in front of Morales and nips it in the bud.
Really good to see Alberto Moreno continue his return from an ACL tear. He'd been out for seven months before playing against Osasuna at the weekend.
Two more changes from Emery
Manu Trigueros and Alberto Moreno replace Morlanes and Jackson. Baena will surely move up front alongside Morales.
Dani Parejo is undoubtedly one of LaLiga's classiest midfielders but we've not seen much from him tonight. A chance to get a dangerous ball into the box from a free-kick and it goes behind. Not his, or Villarreal's, night.
Veteran Jordi Alba showing the youngsters who's in charge there. That was a right good kicking from behind he gave poor Yeremy Pino. Could've been a card...
Lewandowski is really in the mood tonight. Pau Torres isn't, I'm afraid.The Pole skips around his man with ease but is beaten to the ball by Rulli before he can complete his hat-trick. The Villarreal keeper then gifts the ball straight to Gavi but Fati is unable to take full advantage of another sight of goal.
What a pass from Pedri! Pedri taking on the Messi role with Jordi Alba there. The full-back was well offside and his cross was blocked anyway, but what a spin and pass from the youngster. Eyes on the back of his head.
Lewa has really pun-ished Villarreal this evening.
Second sub for Villarreal
Arnaut Danjuma hasn't reappeared the second half. He did look a bit off it tonight, in truth. José Luis Morales is the man who replaces him.
Back underway!
An uphill task for Villarreal, it's safe to say...
It's been a decent show for them so far!
Wins elsewhere for Almería and Osasuna
A little update on goings-on elsewhere.
You might remember Almería were 3-0 up on Girona at half-time. They nearly blew it, hanging on for a 3-2 victory. Christian Stuani missed a penalty, as well as scoring one, for the visitors.
And in Pamplona, Osasuna edged out Espanyol thanks to a goal from Ante Budimir.
HT Barcelona 3 (Lewandowski 2, Fati) Villarreal 0
A lesson in efficiency from Barcelona. The hosts have been lively going forward, with De Jong and Gavi setting the tone in midfield and Alba and Fati looking dangerous down the left. But, unless something incredible happens in the second half, Lewandowski will steal the headlines thanks to two superb finishes. Three goals in under 10 minutes have killed Villarreal, who will be kicking themselves for passing up some decent openings. They've not tested Marc-Andre Ter Stegen yet but that's been because of a poor final ball, a miscontrol or bad decision-making. It looks too late for them to salvage anything now.
It's 3-0 but Villarreal will feel they should have had at least one, maybe two. Baena races away down the left and crosses for Danjuma, whose miscontrol prevents him from having a clear sight of goal.
3-0! Fati!
Looks like Barça are out of sight...
Not quite world-class finishing there from Fati but he gets his goal (told you!). De Jong's drive forward ends with Ferran Torres dumping Mojica on his backside before crossing for Fati, who nudges it in at the second attempt after initially hitting the post.
In the midst of the Lewandowski love-in, Yeremi Pino's header very nearly halves the deficit straight away. A narrow escape at the back for Xavi's men.
2-0! Lewandowski...!
He's definitely back! What did I say about world-class finishing? Pedri nicks the ball from Torres and Barça are away. Lewandowski pulls off to the left, cuts inside and curls one into the far corner. Textboook finishing.
Was he ever away? Probably not.
1-0! Robert Lewandowski
He's back! He's missed a few high-profile chances lately but that is world-class finishing! A superb through-ball from Pedri sets Alba away and his square ball across goal reaches Lewandowski. The Pole takes both Rulli and Torres out with a superb spin and fires low into the unguarded net. The two-game goal drought is over...
There's always plenty of chat about Gavi's determination and dig but he's just pulled off a ridiculous backheel to Robert Lewandowski. Didn't lead to anything, admittedly, but it looked great. Quality.
Ansu Fati is such a threat, isn't he? He skips away from Femenía down the left and into the box. He loses possession this time but he always looks as if he's going to do something, doesn't he?
Enforced change for Villarreal
Johan Mojíca wasn't deemed fit enough to start but he's being forced into some early action here. Alfonso Pedraza has picked up a knock and can't continue. Change at left-back for the visitors.
Danjuma again! This time the Frenchman does get a shot away after being played through into the box but he shoots into the side-netting from a tight angle. There could be goals in this one.
Villarreal almost in! What did I say about Barcelona's defensive fragility? One long ball forward and Alonso is scrambling, only a last-ditch touch stops Danjuma from being clean through.
Frenkie De Jong is making Barça tick so far. Picking the ball up off the central defenders and instigating things further forward too. He's always available.
Close again! Ansu again! Alba somehow digs out Koundé's cross at the back post and scoops it up for Fati, whose header drifts just over the bar.
Danger! Yeremi's cross into the box from the right looks as if it might come to either Danjuma or Jackson but Koundé is in the right place to head away. That looked like trouble for Barça.
...and it comes to nothing. Although it was a corner taken by a centre-back (Alonso). That doesn't happen often, does it?
Barcelona starting to build up some pressure. Corner to be taken from the left...
Gavi is always full of beans is tonight's game is no exception. With De Jong behind him, teenager is getting forward into the box at every opportunity so far.
Gavi - blocked! Ferran - blocked! A good drive into the box from the former. Barça looking fairly lively early on.
Rulli had to be alert there! Dallying on the ball from Pau Torres sees Villarreal surrender possession, Ferran's cross almost sneaks through to Fati but Rulli beats him to it.
Villarreal have got some proper pace and they're going to test this Barça team. Danjuma, Jackson and Pedraza all looking dangerous when they get up to speed.
Barcelona had only conceded one league goal before Sunday but they looked very vulnerable at the back in the Bernabéu and Villarreal have already had a couple of opportunities to break here (which they've messed up).
De Jong taking on the Busquets deep-lying role so far. Pulling the strings.
Inches wide from Ansu Fati!First chance of the game for the hosts, De Jong's cross drops to Fati, he swivels and shoots just wide from the edge of the box!
As expected, Marcos Alonso starts in the unfamiliar position of centre-back. No Araújo or Christensen for Barça tonight.
We're off! Lewandowski gets us underway!
A minute's silence in memory of former Villarreal vice-president Llaneza.
In the absence of Sergio Busquets, Sergi Roberto captains Barcelona.
The teams are out! Almost ready to go....
Villarreal absentees
Plenty of players missing for Villarreal boss Unai Emery. No Capoue, Lo Celso, Mojica, Foyth or Gerard Moreno, all of whom would be in with a decent chance (at worst) of starting the game.
As well as giving some team news yesterday, he also emphasised the importance of his team showing "character and personality" and "competing well". All the things managers always talk about...
Better news for Barcelona is that Alexia Putellas is in the house! And she's taken this (her second Balon d'Or trophy) along with her. Let's hope she's back in action sooner rather than later, although she's expected to be on the sidelines until May next year.
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Xavi knows that he's under pressure, as discussed in the pre-match press conference yesterday.
"There is no such thing as a transition year for Barcelona. We have to go for titles. If we don’t, there will be consequences and maybe they are for myself. I don’t want to look for excuses."
My colleague Joe Brennan wrote about this and more of what Xavi had to say, check it out.
It most certainly is. And you won't miss a thing if you stay on this very page! 15 minutes to go.
Villarreal are here, including Pau Torres and those lovely blue eyes of his.
Of course, you may well remember that Villarreal defeated Barcelona in their own backyard on the final day of last season thanks to goals from Alfonso Pedraza and Moi Gómez. Incredibly enough, that was their first victory against Barça since March 2008 (were Gavi and Pedri born? Yes, just about). 27 games.
Villarreal - 2022-23 LaLiga so far
Villarreal got their league season off to a flyer, winning three and drawing one of their opening four LaLiga matches, in which they didn't concede a goal.
But a defeat at Real Betis was followed by three further matches without a win, a sequence which they have brought to an end by beating Osasuna at the weekend. Another victory tonight and they can move level on points with 6th-placed Athletic Club.
They have been in rather good form in the Europa Conference League though, winning all six games they have played.
Barcelona – 2022-23 LaLiga so far
Xavi Hernández’s side have only suffered one league defeat this season. But that league defeat was against arch-rivals Real Madrid and has come in the midst of an almighty struggle to get out of a Champions League group (that doesn’t look like it’s going to end well). On top of that, Barça went into El Clásico on top of the table but are now six points behind Los Blancos after defeat at the Bernabéu and Madrid’s 3-0 victory over Elche last night.
Barça scored a shed load of goals in a fairly kind start to the campaign but have hit the buffers a bit after coming up against stronger opposition. One thing is clear though, they need to bounce back immediately to avoid falling too far behind Madrid.
Before we focus on the football, sad news from the Villarreal camp. Club vice-president José Manuel Llaneza has sadly passed away at the age of 74 following a battle with leukemia. Our thoughts, as ever, are with everyone at the club and his loved ones.
The boys in yellow will be desperate to get a result tonight for him.
Just one change for Unai Emery's side - Kiko Femenía replaces Aissa Mandi at right-back. The Algerian drops to the bench.
Villarreal line-up
How about the visitors?
Rulli; Femenía, Albiol, Torres, Pedraza; Yeremy, Morlanes, Parejo, Baena; Jackson, Danjuma.
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Real Madrid 3-1 Barcelona on Sunday
Just in case you missed El Clásico (sure you didn't). Here's how it - and Barça - went down.
I make that five alternations from the team that lost to Real Madrid on Sunday afternoon. In come Marcos Alonso, Jordi Alba, Gavi, Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati.Out go Eric García, Alejandro Balde, Sergio Busquets, Ousmane Dembélé and Raphinha. All on the bench.
Changes for Barcelona
Xavi did hint at changes...
Ter Stegen; Roberto, Koundé, Alonso, Alba; Pedri, De Jong, Gavi; Ferran, Lewandowski, Ansu Fati.
Where to watch the game
Of course, you might be looking for a place where you can watch the game. In which case, look no further! Here’s all the info you need. Just make sure you keep this page open too….
Tonight's games
Before we get stuck into tonight's game in Catalonia, just a reminder that there are another couple of games on in LaLiga this evening:
Almería are currently 3-0 up on Girona at half-time (yes, 3-0 at half-time), while Osasuna and Espanyol kick-off an hour before we do. I'll keep you posted on how those go.
Kick-off is at 9pm local time in Barcelona, so that’s 12pm PT/3pm ET. Only 1 hour and 15 minutes to go.
Can we wait? No, we cannot. But we'll have to.
Barcelona vs Villarreal - follow the match live!
Good morning, good afternoon, good evening, wherever you are in the world! Thanks for joining me for what should be a cracker of a LaLiga clash between Barcelona and Villarreal at Camp Nou!