AFCON 2025
Reigning La Liga champions, Barcelona restored their four-point lead over Real Madrid 24 hours after Los Blancos’ win over Sevilla at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbapoe scored in each half of the tie respectively with the hope that their fierce rivals will drop points away at Villareal.
However, the Catalan giants maintained their grip on the top spot as they secured a 2-0 win over the Yellow Submarines away from home.
Brazilian forward, Raphinha put Barcelona ahead from the penalty spot after 12 minutes of action at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
Raphinha came close to doubling the lead but his goal-bound shot, after receiving a fine pass, came off the crossbar.
Tajon Buchanan moved the ball with precision and powered a shot towards goal but Joan Garcia anticipated his attempt on time and made an amazing save.
The first half ended 1-nil in favor of Barcelona after a quite interesting half of football as the home side showed flashes of danger.
Lamine Yamal doubled Barcelona’s lead three minutes after the hour mark after he was left in space inside the box. The Spaniard forward picked his spot and buried the ball into the right side of goal.
Joan Garcia showed off his skills once again as he denied Rafa Martin from reducing Villarreal s deficit .
Georges Mikautadze finds his way past a couple of Barcelona defenders and placed a low drive to the left post but Joan Garcia smartly dealt with it.
The tie ended 2-0 as Barcelona maintained their four-point gap over Real Madrid.
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid stayed within Real Madrid’s reach as Diego Simeone’s men picked up a 3-0 win at Girona.
Veteran midfielder, Koke, Connor Gallagher, and Antoine Griezmann got on the scoresheet as the Rojiblancos moved to third spot with 37 points.
In other results, Real Betis blew apart Getafe 4-0 at the Villamarin while Elche also won by the same scoreline over Rayo Vellacano.
