Robert Lewandowski and Raphinha each scored twice as Barcelona cruised to a 5-1 victory over Villarreal on Sunday in a thrilling match that kept their perfect start to La Liga intact. However, the leaders’ sixth consecutive league win was overshadowed by a potentially serious knee injury to goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who had to be taken off on a stretcher.
Lewandowski opened the scoring with two goals, although he missed a penalty in an action-packed encounter at Villarreal’s Estadio de la Ceramica. Ayoze Perez brought Villarreal back into the game just before halftime, and although the hosts had two goals disallowed, Pablo Torre and Raphinha added to Barcelona’s tally to secure the win.
After Real Madrid’s 4-1 victory over Espanyol on Saturday, Barcelona managed to restore their four-point lead over the reigning champions. Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s coach, opted to start Eric Garcia in defensive midfield again despite his early red card against Monaco in the Champions League midweek. Flick also gave opportunities to reserve team players Gerard Martin and Sergi Dominguez, with playmaker Torre filling in for the injured Dani Olmo.
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal hit the post early before Lewandowski slotted home in the 20th minute, assisted by Torre. Villarreal’s goalkeeper, Diego Conde, made a good save to deny Lewandowski’s bundled effort, but the Polish forward was quick to pounce again in the 35th minute, scoring his second goal with an acrobatic finish after Conde had stopped Garcia’s header.
Villarreal posed a constant threat on the counterattack, and Perez gave the hosts hope with a goal set up by the lively Nicolas Pepe. Ter Stegen made a sensational one-on-one save against Pepe just before halftime but was soon injured when he landed awkwardly after catching a corner. He was replaced by Iñaki Peña.
Pepe found the net early in the second half, but his goal was ruled out for a marginal offside. Moments later, Yeremy Pino hit the bar with a header as Marcelino Garcia Toral’s side pushed Barcelona back. Despite Villarreal’s pressure, Barcelona maintained their lead and sealed the victory with goals from Torre and Raphinha.
Torre extended Barca’s lead with a deflected strike from the edge of the box, a killer blow given Villarreal’s momentum.
Lewandowski hit the post from the spot after Eric Bailly scythed down Yamal and Villarreal’s Thierno Barry had a goal ruled out for offside.
Raphinha ended any hopes of a home comeback, first with a deflected shot and then finishing after a superb Yamal pass left him with just Conde to beat.
Despite the emphatic victory and 100 percent start, if Ter Stegen’s injury proves to be severe it could dent Barcelona’s title hopes.
