A breathtaking treble from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal propelled Barcelona to a 4-1 victory over Villarreal, moving the Blaugrana four points clear at the summit of La Liga.
While the visitors arrived as the league’s third-ranked side, they were ultimately undone by a clinical performance from Hansi Flick’s men.
After a tentative start, Yamal opened the scoring on 28 minutes, followed by a spectacular second before the break.
Villarreal threatened a comeback early in the second half through Pape Gueye, but the introduction of Pedri restored order for the hosts.
Yamal completed his first career hat-trick in the 69th minute, and Robert Lewandowski added a fourth in stoppage time.
The result places immense pressure on Real Madrid, who do not play until Monday, as Barcelona continue their relentless march toward the title.
Barcelona Player Ratings
Joan Garcia – 6/10
The goalkeeper provided a sturdy presence for the most part, commanding his area well. He did, however, survive a massive scare when he was caught out of position, only for Ayoze Perez to see his effort roll wide of the empty net.
Jules Kounde – 7/10
Kounde was relentless on the right flank, effectively playing as an extra attacker at times. His energy was rewarded in the dying moments when he provided the precise assist for Lewandowski to put the finishing touches on the scoreline.
Pau Cubarsi – 6/10
It was a relatively quiet outing for the young center-back. Villarreal’s attacking threats were largely kept at a distance, allowing Cubarsi to focus on his distribution and maintaining the defensive line without much stress.
Eric Garcia – 6/10
Partnering Cubarsi, Garcia looked composed and comfortable. Having returned from his successful stint away, he looked right at home in Flick’s system, dealing with the occasional Villarreal counter-attack with professional ease.
Alejandro Balde – 6/10
Balde survived an early VAR scare regarding a potential handball but settled down quickly. He was tasked with neutralizing the pace of Nicolas Pepe and succeeded for the majority of the afternoon, offering balance to the back four.
Marc Bernal – 7/10
The youngster continues to impress in the heart of the midfield. He showed maturity beyond his years, dominating the physical battles and keeping the ball moving efficiently to allow the more creative players to flourish.
Fermin Lopez – 8/10
Lopez was the primary engine in the first half, hunting down possession and providing the creative spark. His tenacity led directly to the opening goal, and he finished the first period with two well-deserved assists.
Dani Olmo – 5/10
A somewhat frustrating afternoon for Olmo, who struggled to impose himself on the game. He drifted in and out of the action before being substituted at the hour mark as Flick sought more control in the middle.
Lamine Yamal – 10/10
A perfect performance from the 18-year-old. From a composed opening finish to a world-class second goal involving a dazzling stepover and a top-corner curler, he was untouchable. Completing his hat-trick in the second half cemented a historic individual display.
Ferran Torres – 5/10
Torres endured a difficult day in front of goal. Despite working hard to find space, he squandered a magnificent opportunity created by Raphinha, failing to provide the clinical edge seen elsewhere in the frontline.
Raphinha – 6/10
While his work rate was exemplary as always, the Brazilian was partially at fault for the visitors’ goal due to a lapse in concentration during a corner. He remained a creative outlet but lacked his usual final-third precision.
Substitutions & Manager
Pedri – 8/10: Changed the game’s momentum upon arrival, calming a frantic period and assisting Yamal’s third.
Robert Lewandowski – 7/10: Made his mark off the bench by ghosting into the box to score a simple injury-time goal.
Marcus Rashford – 6/10: Looked sharp and energetic in his cameo, showing why the club is keen to make his stay permanent.
Hansi Flick – 8/10: Managed the game perfectly, using his bench at the exact moment Villarreal threatened to equalize.