Five-goal Villarreal stun champions Barcelona

Villarreal defeated Barcelona 5-3 in La Liga, leaving Barcelona 10 points behind Real Madrid and with only two competitions left.

Barcelona's title defense was dealt a major blow as they suffered a shocking 5-3 defeat to Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday. This loss left them ten points behind their rivals, Real Madrid, who had just moved into the top spot in the league after a win over Las Palmas.

The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Villarreal taking a two-goal lead thanks to Gerard Moreno and Ilias Akhomach, only for Barcelona to fight back and level the score with goals from Ilkay Gundogan and Pedri. However, an own goal from Eric Bailly put Villarreal back in the lead before they sealed the victory with late goals from Goncalo Guedes, Alexander Sorloth, and Jose Luis Morales.

Barcelona's recent struggles have been evident, with their elimination from the Copa del Rey and a heavy defeat in the Spanish Super Cup final. With only La Liga and the Champions League left to play for, the pressure is mounting on Xavi Hernandez's team.

Despite the introduction of new players and young talent, Barcelona struggled to contain Villarreal's attacks, conceding early goals and failing to maintain a solid defense. Even a triple substitution at half-time couldn't turn the tide in their favor, as defensive mistakes and missed opportunities cost them dearly.

The match ended in controversy as Barcelona were denied a penalty in the final minutes, leaving the team and their supporters frustrated and disappointed. This loss leaves Barcelona in a state of disarray, with serious questions being raised about their ability to defend their title and compete at the highest level.

Overall, it was a disappointing day for Barcelona, and they will need to regroup and refocus if they hope to salvage their season and mount a serious challenge in La Liga and the Champions League.