Pedri’s goal in the 18th minute gave Barcelona a 1-0 win at Villarreal on Sunday night. The results see Xavi’s side extend their lead to 11 points at the top of the La Liga table over reigning champions Real Madrid, the latter who have one game left to play.
Barcelona started better than both teams and could have taken an early lead, but Robert Lewandowski’s effort was saved by Villarreal goalkeeper Pepe Reina after just 3 minutes. The blaugrana were the best of the two teams, dominating possession with their passing game and a wonderful interaction between the three midfielders.
The visiting team took the lead in the 18th minute when Pedri finished off a brilliant collective play. Frenkie De Jong found Raphinha high up the field and the Brazilian finished off Lewandowski with a close pass. The Pole scored a quick double with Pedri to open up the home defense and the latter finished off with style against Reina.
Minutes later, Lewandowski was once again denied by the Spanish goalkeeper as Reina quickly came down to keep the score at 1-0.
Villarreal should have leveled the scores late in the first half, but José Luis Morales failed to finish into the back of the net after going on target through defensive calamity from Jules Kounde.
Both sides received several yellow cards after the restart as neither gained any sort of passing rhythm and momentum to create space.
Barcelona, however, should have been 2-0 up just after the hour mark, but Raphinha put her effort wide after a delicious ball from Lewandowski.
Samuel Chukwueze had the ball in the back of the net, but the goal was disallowed because Yeremy Pino had drifted into an offside position. Barcelona survived a late period of pressure from the hosts, but ultimately held on to pick up an important three points on the night.
The Camp Nou side have now won six straight league games and with far less European distraction to worry about, they should envision lifting the La Liga title at the end of the season.
Villarreal, for their part, occupies eighth place in the standings with 31 points from 21 games, 7 of a place in the UEFA Champions League.
Photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Wire
