Barcelona secured a composed 2-0 LaLiga victory at Villarreal on Sunday thanks to goals from Raphinha and Lamine Yamal in a match that tilted firmly in the visitors' favour when the hosts were reduced to 10 men just before the break.

Raphinha and Lamine Yamal celebrate each other’s goals with a raised arm and hands linked as Barcelona wins 2-0 at 10-man Villarreal to stay four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong was left delighted with victory at Villarreal. Villarreal pushed Barca all the way, with De Jong happy to finish the first-half of the season top of the LaLiga. He remarked afterwards: "Very happy. We finished the year as leaders, which was the goal. Now it's time to rest.

Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski is back from injury ‌but midfielder Pedri will not make Sunday's trip ‌to Villarreal as the champions look to protect a four-point lead atop LaLiga, coach Hansi Flick said on the eve of the game.

Barcelona has received the top payment from UEFA out of a nine million euros ($10.5 million) fund that rewarded 103 clubs whose players were picked for the 2025 Women’s European Championship

Barcelona face Osasuna on Saturday in a crucial LaLiga match that can extend their lead atop the standings. The team coached by Hansi Flick in the past weeks has bounced back from being five points behind Real Madrid in the league to building a four edge on their closest rival,

Guayaquil has become a hotspot for gang violence linked to drug trafficking and several soccer players in Ecuador have been targeted in recent months.

Mario Pineida, a 33-year-old Barcelona de Guayaquil defender and former national team player, was shot dead, police said Wednesday.

Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal delivered a second-half goal after surviving a horror challenge from Renato Veiga as the defending champions comfortably beat Villarreal 2-0 to restore their four-point lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.