Villareal 3-4 Barcelona: Gavi, Yamal shine as Blaugrana edge seven-goal thriller

Barcelona nearly endured an embarrassing collapse but rode the wave to win 4-3 against Villarreal.

The visitors jumped into a commanding lead in the space of three minutes. Lamine Yamal, who recently became Barça’s youngest player to feature in a top-flight starting XI, sent in a perfect cross for Gavi to head home. 

Next, Frenkie de Jong powered home a close-range strike to double Barca's advantage.

Despite Barca's dominance, Villarreal found a way back before halftime. Ex-Tottenham Hotspur defender Juan Foyth nodded home from a corner before a beautiful team goal was rounded off by Sørloth from just yards out.

The second half began in the same way the first ended as the home side took the lead through Baena who placed a side-footed effort into the corner.

 Ultimately, Barcelona’s mental strength was put on full display for all to see as they struck a quickfire double for the second time. 

Ferran Torres, one of last weekend’s difference-makers, smashed home after seeing his initial effort blocked before Robert Lewandowski struck his first league goal since May after yet more fantastic work from Barça’s rising star Yamal.