Just days after sealing the La Liga title, Barcelona fell short in an entertaining clash against Villarreal, losing 3-2 despite flashes of their trademark flair, with teenage star Lamine Yamal once again shining bright.
Still basking in the glow of their recent triumph, Barcelona made a sluggish start at home and were punished just four minutes in.
Former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pepe breached the high defensive line and raced clear, squaring for Ayoze Perez who calmly slotted past Marc-Andre ter Stegen to hush the crowd.
The early wake-up call spurred the champions into action. Barcelona responded by seizing control of the game and creating a flurry of chances.
Fermin Lopez came close twice, only to be denied by Villarreal’s Luiz Junior. Robert Lewandowski and Inigo Martinez also tested the waters before Yamal produced another piece of magic.
The 17-year-old dazzler cut inside from the right and unleashed a trademark curling shot with his left foot into the far corner — a moment of brilliance that brought Barca level.
Barca’s turnaround was completed on the stroke of halftime. After Yamal struck the woodwork moments earlier, the ball broke to Fermin Lopez at the edge of the area.
He took one touch and unleashed a thunderous volley that ricocheted in off the post, giving Hansi Flick’s side a deserved 2-1 lead heading into the break.
But the drama continued into the second half. Villarreal struck again soon after the restart. Yeremy Pino found Santi Comesana in space, and the midfielder delicately chipped the advancing Ter Stegen to bring the visitors level once more.
Despite dictating possession, Barcelona were stung by a late sucker punch with just ten minutes remaining.
Villarreal launched a textbook counter-attack, and Gerard Moreno’s delivery from the left found its way through to Tajon Buchanan, who finished coolly to make it 3-2.
Flick made several changes in the dying moments, and Barca poured forward in search of an equalizer.
However, their late pressure proved fruitless, and Villarreal held firm to claim all three points, securing their place in next season’s Champions League.