Stunning strikes from Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez weren’t enough to save Barcelona from a 3-2 home defeat to Villarreal, as the newly crowned La Liga champions fell short in a dramatic encounter at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.
Villarreal’s comeback victory secured their place in the top five and confirmed qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Fresh off clinching their 28th La Liga title with a 2-0 win over Espanyol on Thursday — and celebrating with an estimated 650,000 fans in the streets of Barcelona the following day — Hansi Flick’s side didn’t show many signs of a championship hangover early on.
Villarreal struck first in just the fourth minute when Ayoze Perez, the former Newcastle and Leicester forward, tucked home a cross from Nicolas Pepe. But Barcelona responded quickly, showcasing the kind of attacking flair that has defined their season.
Despite having already secured a league and cup double, Barça have now conceded the opening goal in 20 matches across all competitions this campaign. Remarkably, they’ve still managed to win nine of those and draw two.
Teen sensation Lamine Yamal continued his breakout season, netting his ninth league goal with a signature move — cutting inside before curling a low left-footed shot into the far corner. Moments later, after Yamal rattled the crossbar with a dazzling solo effort, Fermin Lopez gave the hosts the lead in first-half stoppage time. Pouncing on a clearance at the edge of the box, Fermin took one touch to control and another to lash a fierce half-volley beyond Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior.
Despite being under sustained pressure in the first half, Villarreal struck back five minutes into the second period. Santi Comesaña latched onto a pinpoint through ball from Yeremy Pino and coolly lifted the ball over the advancing Marc-André ter Stegen.
Chasing a win that would guarantee a top-five finish, Villarreal soaked up waves of Barcelona attacks before sealing the three points late on. Substitute Tajon Buchanan slid in at the back post to convert a low cross, completing the comeback and silencing the home crowd.
The fixture continued its trend as a goal fest — with 26 goals scored in the last four La Liga meetings between Barcelona (14) and Villarreal (12), it remains the most prolific matchup in the league since the beginning of last season.
