La Liga 2023-24, Barcelona win seven-goal thriller against Villarreal: Stats
Barcelona maintained their unbeaten streak as they defeated Villarreal 4-3 on matchday three of the 2023-24 La Liga. This was their first away win of the season. Gavi and Frenkie De Jong handed a 2-0 lead to the visitors in 15 minutes, before Juan Foyth and Alexander Sorloth canceled it. Alex Baena handed Villarreal the lead as Ferran Torres and Robert Lewandowski changed things.
Barcelona have scored 100 goals against Villarreal
As per Opta, Barcelona became the first La Liga club to slam 100 goals against Villarreal. No other team has scored more goals against them (top flight). The tally was on 98 goals before the start of the game. Notably, Barcelona scored twice in the first 15 minutes of La Liga away game for the first time since October 2012 against Deportivo La Coruna.
Sorloth's dream run against Barcelona
Villarreal striker Sorloth scored the equalizer in the 40th minute. As per Opta, he has been involved in three goals since the start of last season against Barcelona. He has had more goal involvements against them than any other player in the La Liga.
Robert Lewandowski netted the winner
Barcelona talisman Lewandowski steered home the winner in the 71st minute. The Polish striker was going through a rough patch but has now opened his account. Lewandowski netted his 34th goal for Barcelona. He finished with 33 goals last season. 23 of them came in the 2022-23 La Liga. He scored twice against Villarreal last season (La Liga).
Super sub Ferran!
Ferran scored the timely equalizer in the 68th minute after coming on from the bench. As per Opta, he has scored the most number of goals for Barcelona in La Liga as a substitute under Xavi Hernandez's regime. Ferran leads the race with five goals, while Ansu Fati has scored four and Luuk de Jong has scored three goals as a substitute.
A look at the match stats
Barcelona amassed 21 attempts in comparison to Villarreal's 13 shots. While the visitors had 11 attempts on target to Villarreal's six shots. The Catalans enjoyed 61% possession while completing 590 passes and clocking 91% passing accuracy. Barcelona won six corners while Villarreal bagged two.
More stats from the match
Barcelona are now unbeaten in their last 15 visits to Villarreal in La Liga. The hosts have won only once against Barcelona in their last 29 meetings in the league (D6, L22). Villarreal have gone winless in their first three home games in the La Liga for the first time since February 2021, when they were winless in their first four home league games.
How did the match pan out?
Sorloth netted an early goal for Villarreal but it was ruled offside. Later, Barcelona scored twice in three minutes via Gavi and De Jong, taking a 2-0 lead. Foyth's stunning header pulled one back for the hosts, while Sorloth slammed the equalizer. In the second half, Baena's finish handed Villarreal the lead. Lamine Yamal struck the post before Ferran and Lewandowski propelled Barcelona ahead.
