Barcelona welcomed Villarreal to the Camp Nou on Sunday knowing that victory would move them one point behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
It was the visitors that led 1-0 after 30 minutes courtesy of a smart finish from Denis Cheryshev, but Barca levelled in the final minute of the first period through Neymar.
Luciano Vietto regained the lead for Villarreal early in the second half, but quick-fire goals from Rafinha and Lionel Messi turned the match on its head.
Surprisingly, that was the end of the scoring, with Barca winning the topsy-turvy match by the odd goal in five.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Camp Nou and it is a real cracker as Barcelona welcome Villarreal. Both of these sides on a cracking run of form, but something has to give this evening. It has all the makings of a real classic Spanish affair. I really cannot wait.
Without further ado, let me bring you the all-important team news.
TEAMS
BARCA: Bravo; Alves, Mascherano, Pique, Alba; Busquets, Rafinha, Iniesta; Neymar, Suarez, Messi
VILARREAL: Asenjo; Mario, Musacchio, Ruiz, Costa; J.Dos Santos, Bruno, Pina, Cheryshev; Vietto, Giovani
So there we have it. Only one real surprise in the Barca XI this evening, with Rafinha replacing Ivan Rakitic in the middle of the park. Aside from that, it is arguably the home side's strongest team, with Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez all selected. As a result, Pedro is on the bench, as is Xavi.
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For Villarreal, Giovani dos Santos comes into the attack alongside leading scorer Luciano Vietto. Giovani's brother, Jonathan dos Santos, also starts for the Yellow Submarine. Gabriel Paulista has moved on to Arsenal and the Brazilian's place is filled by Mateo Musacchio, who was so impressive last season.
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In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Barcelona have won four of the last five matches, with the further clash ending in a 0-0 draw. Earlier this season, Barca recorded a late 1-0 win at El Madrigal, while the Catalan outfit beat Villarreal 2-1 in the corresponding match here last term.
Barca currently trail the league leaders Real Madrid by four points – having played the same number of games – but the Catalan outfit are in sensational form. Since losing to Real Sociedad in their first match after the winter break, they have won each of their seven games in all competitions – scoring 26 times in the process and conceding just three. It has all started to click for Luis Enrique's side.
Barca also dumped Atletico Madrid out of the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with a 3-2 win at the Vicente Calderon during the week. Last time out in the league, they thumped Elche 6-0 away from home. The goals are really flowing, while Barca also have the best defence in Spain this season having conceded just nine times in their 20 matches – a quite incredible feat. Who said their defence was shaky?
Villarreal, however, are on a really smashing run of form. The Yellow Submarine have not lost a single match since suffering a 3-2 defeat to Zurich in the Europa League back in November. As a result, they are unbeaten in their last 18 games in all competitions, 10 of which have been in the league. As it stands, they sit sixth in the table, four points off the top four following Sevilla's win over Espanyol.
Last time out in the league, Villarreal were 1-0 winners over Levante, with that success making it seven home league victories for the season. Their away form has also been very strong, with just one defeat from their 10 matches. No team has suffered fewer defeats than Villarreal on the road this season, which is an indication of the task facing Barca here. It should be an absolute cracker in Barcelona.
PREDICTION! Take a look at what I had to say about this match here...
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. It must be said that there is a stunning atmosphere inside the stadium as the away side get the first 45 minutes underway.
Quick-fire start from the home side as Suarez breaks into the Villarreal box before forcing a corner, which brings a period of pressure. Pique delivers a dangerous cross towards the far post, but the visitors manage to scramble clear. Extremely positive start from the Catalan outfit against a strong Villarreal.
All Barcelona in the early moments as Neymar finds Suarez inside the Villarreal box, but Musacchio is across to make an excellent challenge. The visitors just cannot get out of their own half as Suarez volleys one wide from the resulting corner. Well, this one has not taken very long to really get going.
Villarreal have not really been allowed to get going in the early moments, with Barca in control of the possession. It is excellent to see Giovani dos Santos up top with Vietto this evening. The Yellow Submarine have come to play there is no question about that. Still goalless with six minutes played.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Villarreal are pushing their full-backs forward, which is a demonstration of their intent. They think that they can win this.
CHANCE! First real chance of the match as Iniesta slides a super pass into Suarez, who attempts to place one into the bottom corner, but it just moved wide of the post. Good movement.
As expected, the match has developed into a pattern. Barca are enjoying most of the ball, with Villarreal nice and tight in defensive areas. The visitors have such pace on the counter, but that has not been used thus far. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be just vital here.
SAVE! Super, super goalkeeping from Asenjo as the Villarreal stopper pushes an effort from Suarez just wide of the post. The Uruguay international had curled one towards the top corner.
Half-chance for the away side as Cheryshev drives down the left before rolling a low cross towards Vietto, but Pique is on hand to clear. Villarreal are certainly carrying a threat in the final third here.
Possession football from the home side as they pass and probe outside the box, but Villarreal are nice and tight in defensive areas. There is a reason why they are on such a strong run of form.
Barca have a free kick just outside the box as Ruiz brings Rafinha to the ground...
... Messi takes the set piece, but his effort is straight into the wall. Victor Ruiz did not pick up a booking for that late challenge on Rafinha, which is a big surprise. It was a terrible, terrible tackle.
Half-chance for Barca moments later as Messi dinks a pass towards Iniesta, but Asenjo is on hand to claim. It is starting to liven up as Villarreal break down the other end. Still goalless at the Camp Nou.
CHANCE! Oh Suarez! Another wonderful chance as the ball falls nicely to the forward inside the Villarreal box, but Suarez whips his effort high of the crossbar. He had to score!
BOOKING! Bruno (Villarreal) is booked for a late challenge on Rafinha, who is in the wars.
The opening 25 minutes of this match have just flown past. Barca have looked the most likely through Suarez, but Villarreal have had bits and pieces on the counter. It is fascinating at the moment.
Again it is good goalkeeping from Asenjo as the Villarreal stopper pushes a cross from Alves out of the danger zone. Neymar was waiting to tap home, but Asenjo made sure that could not occur here.
Suarez is through again for Barca, but this time the offside flag is raised.
Neymar is now chopped down by Cheryshev, but the referee does not issue a yellow card. Alves carries on and strikes one from outside the box, but his effort was always rising high and wide.
GOAL! Barcelona 0-1 Villarreal (Cheryshev)
Wow! The away side take the lead with 30 minutes on the clock as Cheryshev deflects a strike from Mario into the bottom corner. The goal followed a quick counter from the Yellow Submarine, who have taken the lead very much against the run of play. Now then, what have Barca got in terms of a response?
Villarreal are so, so dangerous on the counter attack at the moment. Barca beware!
Barca have the chance to threaten from a free kick in a wide area - Messi finds Alves, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Can Villarreal keep their lead in tact until the interval?
Barca fashion another bright moment as Suarez feeds a pass out wide to Alba, who delivers a dangerous cross, but Mario is on hand to clear the danger. The crowd are just getting a little restless at the moment. One goal for Barca before the interval would completely alter the feel in the stadium.
Barca are in control of the possession, but Villarreal are leaving two players up the field, which is causing concern in the home side's defence. It is a brave tactic from Marcelino here that is for certain.
Pass, pass, pass from Barca as they attempt to move this Villarreal defence out of position, but the away side remain so disciplined. Suarez is ruled offside once again, which brings more frustration.
BOOKING! Jonathan dos Santos (Villarreal) is booked for tripping Rafinha.
CHANCE! All the play is in the Villarreal half at the moment, but another bright moment comes to an end as the visitors bundle clear a strike from Suarez. The away side are down the other end moments later, but Vietto can only head into the arms of Bravo. End-to-end football!
Villarreal are not sitting on their one-goal lead here. They want more in this half.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-1 Villarreal (Neymar)
Barca level late in the first period as Neymar fires home from close range after Asenjo had denied Rafinha. It is harsh on the goalkeeper, who made an excellent save from the initial effort.
HALF-TIME: Barcelona 1-1 Villarreal
So there we have it. The referee brings a pulsating first half to a close, with the two sides level at 1-1. Villarreal opened the scoring through Cheryshev after 30 minutes, but Neymar levelled in the final minute of the half. What will the second period bring? More goals and more entertainment please!
STATS! Barca have dominated the possession with 71%, while they have had nine attempts, three of which have been on target. Villarreal, meanwhile, have hit the target with each of their two attempts. It was a half dominated by the home side, but there is no question that the Yellow Submarine have come to play. They have looked such a threat on the counter with their pace and movement.
BENCH WATCH! The home side have a number of attacking options on their bench this evening, with the likes of Pedro, Rakitic and Xavi all in reserve. Villarreal, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Uche, Moi Gomez, Gerard Moreno and Trigueros. Will there be any changes at the interval?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second 45 minutes. It is so delicately poised at the Camp Nou. The home side get the second 45 minutes of action underway.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not all that surprising. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains 1-1 for the next 20, 25 minutes. Game on here.
As expected, Barca have taken control of the possession in the early minutes of the second period, with Villarreal attempting to counter whenever possible. Suarez has been involved, but the forward lost his footing at the vital moment. You just get the feeling that the next goal could be just crucial here.
Very ambitious from Alves, but his strike on the half-volley whistles high of the crossbar.
GOAL! Barcelona 1-2 Villarreal (Vietto)
Oh my word. Villarreal lead with 51 minutes on the clock as Giovani takes the ball away from Pique before driving into the box and finding Vietto, who finishes from close range. Exceptional goal!
That threat on the counter attack - good grief! Giovani made that goal. Sensational work!
GOAL! Barcelona 2-2 Villarreal (Rafinha)
Oh my word! Barca level as Rafinha smashes home from close range after a header from Messi had been blocked. Excellent work from Suarez in the build-up and it is desmond tutu here!
GOAL! Barcelona 3-2 Villarreal (Messi)
Barca take the lead for the first time this evening as Messi curls a quite wonderful effort into the top corner. That is just different class from the Argentine on his right foot. This is quite a good game.
And breathe! Little over 30 minutes remaining and Barca lead 3-2. Some game, this.
The crowd are really up for this at the moment, but Villarreal manage to gain some respite when Suarez is penalised for a foul on Mario. You still sense that there is something in this game for the visitors.
Another half-chance for the home side as Messi drives through the heart of the Villarreal midfield before finding Neymar, but the Brazilian's effort is just high of the crossbar. All Barca at the moment.
BOOKING! Rafinha (Barca) is booked for bringing Costa to the ground just outside the box.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Villarreal have the ball in the back of the net through Victor Ruiz, but the goal is disallowed for offside.
PENALTY SHOUT! Barca want a penalty as Neymar goes down under a challenge from Asenjo, but the referee is not interested. Moments later, Suarez somehow fired wide from close range. Well, that was a busy couple of minutes. This has been a sensational game of football!
Half-chance for Villarreal this time as Giovani fires one from a wide angle, but it smashes into the side netting. There are still more goals in this match with little over 20 minutes remaining.
Another half-chance for the away side as Vietto delivers a cross towards Jonathan dos Santos, but Iniesta just manages to clear the danger. Barca break down the other end with Neymar, but Musacchio is across to make a stunning challenge. This has been one of the best games of the season no question.
Another half-chance for Villarreal as Cheryshev delivers a cross towards Jonathan dos Santos, but his strike is blocked by Alba. Good grief this is end-to-end football at the moment. Sensational.
SUB! Barca make their first change as Mathieu replaces Busquets.
Villarreal have another golden chance to threaten on the counter, but Giovani cannot slip a pass into Cheryshev, with Rafinha, who has been excellent tonight, on hand to make an important block.
Little under 15 minutes of normal time remaining and you still get the feeling that there is something in this for Villarreal, especially while the score remains 3-2. Will we have more late drama here?
SUB! Villarreal make their first change as Trigueros replaces Pina.
SUB! Barca make their second change as Pedro replaces Suarez.
It just isn't quite happening in front of goal for Suarez at the moment, but he is still contributing to the team. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining and Villarreal are still more than in this game.
Villarreal are almost playing with four strikers at the moment, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of the match. I fancy another goal, whether it comes for Villarreal, or on the counter for Barca.
Half-chance for the away side as Vietto meets a free kick from Jonathan dos Santos, but the Argentine's effort was always rising over the crossbar. Still 3-2 Barca with 83 minutes on the clock.
Barca threaten once again as Alba drives a dangerous cross into the box, but Mario is on hand to clear once again. Villarreal are preparing to make their second change of the match here.
SUB! Moi Gomez replaces Jonathan dos Santos for Villarreal.
Rafinha is caught with an arm from Cheryshev, but the midfielder wants to continue here.
SUB! Barca make their third and final change as Rakitic replaces Rafinha.
SUB! Villarreal make their third change as Uche replaces Giovani.
Everyone is forward for Villarreal as they force a couple of corners, but the danger is cleared.
We are into the second of three additional minutes here.
Possession football from the home side, with Villarreal's hopes fast fading.
FULL-TIME: Barcelona 3-2 Villarreal
So there we have it. The referee brings this excellent match to a close, with Barca running out 3-2 winners on the night. The result has moved Barca one point behind the leaders Real Madrid, while Villarreal remain sixth - four points off the top four. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
