Barcelona took over as Atletico Madrid’s chief challengers for the title on Sunday as Antoine Griezmann scored a quick-fire double in a 2-1 win away at Villarreal in La Liga. Three objectives in seven minutes earlier than half-time noticed Villarreal take the lead after which swiftly throw it away as Griezmann equalised with a luxurious lob earlier than capitalising on a misplaced backpass to make it two. Helped by a purple card for Villarreal’s Manu Trigueros shortly after the hour, Barcelona held on for a win that places them degree on factors with Real Madrid, having a performed a recreation lower than the reigning champions. Atletico are two factors additional in entrance and might lengthen that hole to 5 by beating a struggling Athletic Bilbao facet at San Mames afterward Sunday.
Since shedding the Clasico earlier this month, Barcelona have strung collectively three consecutive victories and with a recreation at residence to Atletico nonetheless to come, Ronald Koeman’s facet nonetheless have the title of their palms.
Griezmann began on the bench for the defeat by Real Madrid however has been recalled for the final three video games in a row, repaying the religion with a objective now in every.
It stays to be seen whether or not Barcelona see the 30-year-old as an opportunity to elevate funds in the summertime, and in addition whether or not the presents are there, however Griezmann now has 23 objectives this season, and 15 for the reason that flip of the 12 months.
Villarreal took the lead within the twenty eighth minute and by the thirty fifth they had been behind. Samuel Chukwueze did brilliantly to put them in entrance, steering away from the slipping Jordi Alba earlier than going spherical Marc-Andre ter Stegen and slotting in from the angle.
But two minutes later, Barcelona had been degree with a supreme end by Griezmann, who ran onto Oscar Mingueza’s via ball and clipped an beautiful half volley over Sergio Asenjo, which dropped within the far nook.
Asenjo had earlier made a surprising save to claw Frenkie de Jong’s end off the road however he might do nothing about Griezmann’s second, as Juan Foyth failed to spot the Frenchman and performed him via with a pass-back aimed for his goalkeeper.
Barca’s process was made simpler within the second half when Trigueros was despatched off for a problem on Lionel Messi. Trigueros slid in and poked away the ball however his studs went excessive into Messi’s left ankle on the follow-through.
Messi continued seemingly unharmed and Barca held on.
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