Barcelona finally got back to its winning ways in LaLiga after a 2-1 home victory against Villarreal at Camp Nou on Wednesday, September 25. Lionel Messi made his first start of the season and showed-up for his side with an assist to his name. Barca got two early goals to begin with, but Santi Cazorla pulled one back for Villarreal before the end of the first half. The Yellow Submarine were arguably the better side for most of the second half but Barcelona held their nerves and got the much required three points from the match. 

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Barcelona vs Villarreal: First half

Villarreal's intentions at the start of the game looked clear which was to defend deep and attack the hosts on the counter. However, Barcelona drew first blood as summer signing Antoine Griezmann headed home after Lionel Messi's cross from the corner in the sixth minute of the LaLiga game. After a bright start, Barcelona kept most of the possession as they were passing the ball well between them. Arthur doubled Barcelona's lead with a belter which left Sergio Asenjo clueless in the 15th minute of the game. 

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The game got deeply inclined towards Barca after the second goal. But Ernesto Valverde's men decided to go defensive after the lead which allowed Villarreal to settle from the set-back and get back in the game. The Yellow Brigade started attacking more and got the much-required breakthrough off Santi Cazorla's screamer towards the end of the first half.

Barcelona vs Villarreal: Second half

Barcelona were dealt with a blow as Lionel Messi was subbed off at the start of the second half because of an injury. Frenchman Ousmane Dembélé replaced the Argentine and was seen working hard on the right flank. Villarreal started the half with more motivation, thanks to Cazorla's heroics. The visitors dominated the first 20 minutes of the second half as they were breaking into Barca's defence and firing shots towards Marc-André ter Stegen whenever they saw an opportunity. 

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However, Barca held their nerves and did not allow the visitors to bag another goal. The arrival of Frenkie de Jong helped the hosts break Villarreal's momentum to create any threat. 16-year old Ansu Fati yet again impressed everyone as he was seen troubling the visitor's defence in the minutes he played. The win saw Barcelona move to fourth in the table with 10 points in LaLiga so far. 

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