FC Barcelona delivered a thrilling performance as they overcame a rollercoaster of a match against Villarreal, securing a 4-3 victory that brings them within striking distance of La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

Barcelona’s early domination saw them take a 2-0 lead within the opening 15 minutes, with Gavi and Frenkie de Jong finding the net after weathering early pressure from the hosts. Lamine Yamal, who had shown promise in the Joan Gamper Trophy against Tottenham Hotspur, provided the assist for Gavi’s headed goal, and De Jong capitalized on a fortunate tackle that fell his way to calmly slot home.

The visitors might have expected a comfortable afternoon, but Villarreal had other plans. They mounted a remarkable comeback, scoring two goals before halftime and adding a third just five minutes into the second half.

Barcelona needed a spark, and once again, it came from the 16-year-old prodigy Yamal, who started on the right wing. Although Ferran Torres played a role in the equalizer through sheer persistence and determination, it was Yamal who had earlier hit the crossbar and the post, deserving recognition for his contribution.

Robert Lewandowski, who had been struggling, finally found his form, tapping home a rebound to restore Barcelona’s lead. The visitors managed to hold onto their advantage without much trouble from Villarreal, despite Ansu Fati squandering opportunities to put the game to bed with better decision-making.

In the dying moments of the match, Fati missed a chance to set up Lewandowski for a sure goal, opting for an ineffective shot instead. Lewandowski returned the favor with a close-range attempt that was blocked when Fati had a more promising opportunity.

With this second win of the season, Barcelona now sets their sights on Osasuna in their upcoming fixture before the September international break. The Blaugrana’s spirited performance leaves them just two points behind Real Madrid, injecting new excitement into the La Liga title race.