Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona: 5 Talking Points
Final score: Villarreal 0-2 Barcelona
Goals: Luis Suarez 72' (Barcelona), Lionel Messi 83' (Barcelona)
Lionel Messi equalled Gerd Muller's record for scoring most goals (525) for one club in Europe's top 5 leagues, helping Barcelona to a 2-0 win over Villarreal at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Ernesto Valverde made six changes to the lineup that faced Sporting CP in the midweek UEFA Champions League game, as Lionel Messi returned to the starting lineup. On the other hand, Pablo Fornals, and Bruno Soriano were absent for the Yellow Submarines.
Both teams had their chances in the first half and Villarreal looked likely to open the scoring. Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a couple of brilliant saves early in the game and it stayed 0-0 at the halftime.
Dani Raba's 60th minute sending off changed the complexion of the game as Barcelona capitalized on the man advantage to put 2 past Sergio Asenjo to restore their 5-point lead in La Liga.
Let's see the 5 main talking point of this fixture:
#5 Villarreal failed to score despite an excellent first half
The visitors began on the front foot as Gerard Pique smashed the crossbar just 4 minutes into the game. After an early scare, Villarreal settled well and began to create chances of their own.
Raba forced ter Stegen into an easy save in the 7th minute and Roberto Soriano came close to putting the hosts in front, in the 16th minute.
Villarreal threatened again in the 26th minute but Roberto Soriano failed to make contact with an inswinging cross. Villarreal were threatening on the counter, but lacked the final bite.
They had a couple of more opportunities in the 36th and 45th minute respectively, but were wasteful in front of goal throughout the first-half. Barca had their moments as well, but the game stayed 0-0 at half-time