Barcelona 2–3 Villarreal Player Ratings: Villarreal Seal Champions League Qualification and Crash Barcelona’s Coronation Party

Villarreal qualified for the Champions League in style by winning 3-2 against champions Barcelona away from home. The visitors gave Barcelona a taste of their own comeback medicine late in the game. Villarreal scored early in both halves to first take the lead and then to equalise. Ayoze Perez made a lightning start as he converted a quick break. Barcelona produced a famous comeback yet again through sensational goals from Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez in the first half. The visitors hit back through Santi Comesana, who finished like a striker. Tajon Buchanan had the last say by scoring the winner off the bench to seal the result for his side. It also inflicted Barcelona's first defeat this calendar year and left the hosts red-faced on their title presentation day.

The champions came into this game in party mode. The Catalans sealed the La Liga title midweek and kicked off the party in Barcelona. They were eagerly waiting for the coronation that takes place after the game. A small matter of 90 minutes of game was in the way of it. Hansi Flick made a few changes to the lineup in a bid to give minutes to bench players towards the fag end of the season.

Villarreal were in red-hot form coming into this game. They won four straight games to take a comfortable position in the race for Champions League qualification. They hoped for a favour from Barcelona, hoping they'd be hungover from all their partying. Marcelino Garcia would've wanted his forwards Ayoze Perez and Nicolas Pepe to feast on Barcelona's highline. A win would seal the Champions League qualification for them.

Barcelona were given a guard of honour by Villarreal as a token of appreciation. The visitors turned hostile as soon as the ball was kicked, as they made a flying start to the game. Their forwards, Pepe and Ayoze, combined brilliantly to open the scoring in the 4th minute. Barcelona's highline was found out yet again with a simple through pass.

Pepe timed his run to perfection to receive a hopeful through ball into his path. His run was well matched by Ayoze, who received the ball early from Pepe. The striker had a lot of time to pick his spot as he was unmarked. He kept his calm and found the bottom corner with his left foot past an onrushing goalkeeper. It marked his career-best 19th league goal of the season as he continued his recent goalscoring form.

Barcelona shook off their hangover after the goal and started attacking in the hunt for an equaliser. Fermin Lopez had a couple of good chances, which he failed to take. Robert Lewandowski's header from an Eric Garcia cross was wonderfully saved by the Villarreal custodian Luiz Junior.

Lamine Yamal had had enough of it as he did the scoring himself after his teammates spurned chances. He scored his trademark left-footed curler from outside the box towards the bottom corner as the defence saw what was coming but could hardly do anything to prevent it. The boy wonder made it his trademark effort as he makes it look so easy. It was also a carbon copy of his midweek goal against Espanyol. At this moment, there is nothing in this world that can keep Yamal quiet.

Villarreal were losing their bearings after giving up the lead. They made regular mistakes while trying to play out from the back. They started missing some simple passes as well. It made the Champions the favourites to score the second goal. Fermin did the formalities as he scored in the 5th minute of added time to complete another comeback for the hosts.

The Catalans took a lead into the break as Fermin got the ball from a blocked cross and volleyed it home with the outside of his boot as the ball dropped kindly for him after a decent first touch. The Yellow Submarine surrendered a respectable lead and had only themselves to blame.

However, they came out with more spirit in the second half and made amends. Yeremy Pino played a lovely through pass to Santi Comesana, who had a rare run forward. The defensive midfielder broke the offside trap and chipped the goalkeeper like a striker to equalise just minutes into the second half. The visitors got an early goal, and it was a matter of keeping things tight for them.

It was anyone's game to call after that, heading into the final quarter as both sides went for the winner. Barcelona to enjoy their coronation with a smile on their face, and Villarreal to seal Champions League qualification in style. The visitors were the first to take the initiative to spoil the equilibrium.

The substitute Tajon Buchanan was on hand to smash home from close range as he received an offload from fellow substitute Gerard Moreno in the box. It was his first league goal for his club. The visitors held onto the lead quite ferociously as the referee blew his full-time whistle.

Villarreal spoiled Barcelona's party by winning on the night. They had to produce a comeback after allowing one to qualify for the Champions League in style. A 5th straight league win sees them as firm contenders for 4th spot in the table as well. They take on Sevilla at home next.

Barcelona's defensive woes continued as they lost a winnable game at home. Though there's not much to read from this game, the champions would've loved to win and then enjoy the trophy presentation. They face Athletic Club away from home to end their season next week.

Here are the Barcelona vs Villarreal Player Ratings.

Barcelona Player Ratings vs Villarreal

GK - Marc-Andre ter Stegen-5/10

Made just his second start in 7 months and was tested quickly. Got off the line but was easily beaten by Ayoze Perez. Once became twice as he was chipped easily when he stepped off the line in the second half

RB - Eric Garcia-7/10

Spent a lot of time in attack as his side chased the game. Delivered decent crosses and attacked the box himself to score a goal.

CB - Pau Cubarsi-6.5/10

Played Nicolas Pepe on an incredibly high defensive line and was never getting back in time. Matched Pepe stride for stride when his side were caught out and forced a mistake.

CB - Inigo Martinez-6/10

The defender had a tough time keeping up with the pace of Pepe and was beaten physically as well.

LB - Gerard Martin-6/10

Ventured forward at will to aid the attack. But he was well dealt with by the physicality of the opposition.

DM - Pedri-7.5/10

Involved in plenty of tackles in the middle. Created plenty of chances with his excellent passing.

DM - Gavi-6/10

Kept running all game and helped his side retain the ball with neat passing.

RW - Lamine Yamal-8.5/10

Started the game well as he took on defenders and played some good crosses. Scored an exact action replay of his goal from the midweek to draw the game level. A piece of skill and a shot that hit the crossbar after that left the crowd gasping for their breath.

CAM - Fermin Lopez-8/10

Had an early chance to equalise but saw his shot on the turn go high of the crossbar. Got his goal finally with a lovely touch and volley in the added time of the first half.

LW - Raphinha-6.5/10

Dragged an effort wide of the target as he was not involved in the attack for long periods.

ST - Robert Lewandowski-6/10

Had a fantastic header saved from close range. Still missing rhythm due to the recent injuries

SUB - Alejandro Balde-6/10

SUB - Frenkie de Jong-6/10

SUB - Pau Victor-6/10

SUB - Hector Fort-6/10

SUB - Dani Olmo-6/10

Manager - Hansi Flick-6/10

It was the first time Flick was this relaxed on the touchline, knowing that the job is done. Once again, his high line was broken so easily. But his attack, like always, came to his aid spectacularly. He could take a loss, given his side got the job done.

Villarreal Player Ratings vs Barcelona

GK - Luiz Junior-6.5/10

Made a couple of fantastic saves from Lewandowski and Garcia's headers, but was unable to prevent Yamal even at full stretch.

RB - Pau Navarro-6/10

Made a couple of key blocks outside the box as he prevented some counters. Replaced by a solid tackler in the second half.

CB - Juan Foyth-6.5/10

Won the ball keenly and had the onus of bringing it out of defence with his dribbling ability. Kept Lewandowski at bay by accompanying him well.

CB - Logan Costa-6/10

Was a millisecond slow to react to everything that was happening around him. But made a huge clearance late in the game to snatch the ball away from Yamal.

LB - Sergi Cardona-6.5/10

Did well multiple times against Yamal, but it was impossible for him to hold the winger from pulling the trigger from outside the box. Had decent moments in attack.

DM - Santi Comesana-6/10

Helped his defence by joining the backlines and being an ever-present in the box to help them sweep things up. Went forward and scored a lovely chip like a number 9 to equalise the goal.

DM - Dani Parejo-6.5/10

Received the ball with his back to goal multiple times to get them away from pressure. Released his forwards efficiently at times. His legs started to fade as he was replaced before the hour mark.

RW- Nicolas Pepe-7.5/10

Timed his run to perfection and found Ayoze with a lovely pass for the opener. Had a great opportunity to score but waited too long as the chance went away.

CAM - Alex Baena-6/10

Kept probing throughout the game in the search for a goal. Offered decent service from setpieces. However, nothing noteworthy came from the second-best assister in the league.

LW - Yeremi Pino-7.5/10

Was a good outlet on the left for his side as he played some decent crosses. Supplied Comesana with a peach of a pass that broke the split the defence like a knife through butter. Had a terrible injury as he left the pitch in tears.

ST - Ayoze Perez-7.5/10

Scored his 19th league goal in style as he picked his spot against an onrushing Ter Stegen to open the scoring. Carried a similar threat later on but had an injury and was replaced at halftime.

SUB - Thierno Barry-6/10

SUB - Pape Gueye-6/10

SUB - Tajon Buchanan-7.5/10

Found himself unmarked in the box as he collected and smashed the ball into the roof of the net to give his side the lead.

SUB - Willy Kambwala-6/10

SUB - Gerard Moreno-6.5/10

Picked up the assist with a square pass across the box.

Manager - Marcelino Garcia-6/10

His side had the best of starts possible start as his forwards combined to give them the lead. However, they lost grip on the game as Barcelona came back strongly. Another strong start to the second half salvaged something for his side before grabbing a win late on.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match: Lamine Yamal.