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Played
November 13, 2010 4:00 PM EST
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee: Carlos Delgado Ferreiro
Attendance: 90000
November 13, 2010 4:00 PM EST
Camp Nou — Barcelona
Referee: Carlos Delgado Ferreiro
Attendance: 90000
Top of the Match
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Barcelona
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Barcelona
Flop of the Match
Nilmar
Villarreal
Villarreal
Lionel Messi
Barcelona
Barcelona
Goal.com Rating 
Fans' Rating Barcelona 3-1 Villarreal: Lionel Messi Torpedoes The Yellow Submarine
The Argentinian stole the show once again ...
By Vasil Kotsev
The Blaugrana managed to ascend to the top of the table for at least 24 hours as they picked up three hard-earned points against a spirited Villarreal side at the Camp Nou. David Villa and Nilmar traded goals in the first half and the two teams entered half-time locked in a draw. Ultimately, Barcelona edged the game courtesy of two strikes from Lionel Messi after the break to maintain the pressure on Real Madrid.
The hosts tried to impose their trademark style on the game in the early minutes and occasionally threatened Diego Lopez's goal. The first real chance of the game fell to Messi, who failed to open the scoring from point-blank range after being left with a free header in the box.
The deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute, when David Villa superbly controlled a pass from Andres Iniesta on the left of the penalty area and slotted coolly past Diego Lopez to score his sixth goal in the league.
Three minutes later Barca had the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. In the following Villarreal attack, however, the visitors managed to draw the game level after a sublime effort by Nilmar, who left Carles Puyol flat-footed in his wake before applying a great finish that hit the right post before crawling into the net.
The game certainly benefited from this development as the match was becoming an end-to-end affair. Eric Abidal conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position in the 35th minute, but Giuseppe Rossi saw his low shot saved by Victor Valdes.
The Yellow Submarine appealled for a penalty just before half-time after Joan Capdevila was allegedly brought down in the box, but the referee turned it down without hesitation.
Barca went all guns blazing after the break and threatened to take the lead on a couple of occasions after the restart. The visitors seemed unable to repel the constant wave coming from the Catalan juggernauts and it looked increasingly likely that Pep Guardiola's men will score soon.
In the 58th minute Messi finally managed to breach Villarreal's resilient defence to put the Blaugrana infront. The goal came after some breathtaking interplay by the Argentinian and Pedro as Barca managed to neutralise the visitors' backfour with a few simple passes.
The hosts continued to dominate the game after the goal and deservedlyincreased their lead seven minutes from the final whistle when Messi completed his brace with a deft finish from just outside the six-yard box.
The little wizard went close to scoring a third shortly after, but saw a shot from the centre of the box blocked by Mateo Musacchio in what proved to be the final moment of interest for this game.
Following tonight's result, Barcelona are first in the standings before the remaining games from this round, while Villarreal retain their third place. The Yellow Submarine host Valencia in their next league game, while the Blaugrana visit Almeria.
American Jozy Altidore made the Villarreal bench for the match, but did not see any game action.
For more on Americans abroad, visit Goal.com's dedicated page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
The hosts tried to impose their trademark style on the game in the early minutes and occasionally threatened Diego Lopez's goal. The first real chance of the game fell to Messi, who failed to open the scoring from point-blank range after being left with a free header in the box.
The deadlock was broken in the 22nd minute, when David Villa superbly controlled a pass from Andres Iniesta on the left of the penalty area and slotted coolly past Diego Lopez to score his sixth goal in the league.
Three minutes later Barca had the ball in the net, but the goal was ruled out for offside. In the following Villarreal attack, however, the visitors managed to draw the game level after a sublime effort by Nilmar, who left Carles Puyol flat-footed in his wake before applying a great finish that hit the right post before crawling into the net.
The game certainly benefited from this development as the match was becoming an end-to-end affair. Eric Abidal conceded a free-kick in a dangerous position in the 35th minute, but Giuseppe Rossi saw his low shot saved by Victor Valdes.
The Yellow Submarine appealled for a penalty just before half-time after Joan Capdevila was allegedly brought down in the box, but the referee turned it down without hesitation.
Barca went all guns blazing after the break and threatened to take the lead on a couple of occasions after the restart. The visitors seemed unable to repel the constant wave coming from the Catalan juggernauts and it looked increasingly likely that Pep Guardiola's men will score soon.
In the 58th minute Messi finally managed to breach Villarreal's resilient defence to put the Blaugrana infront. The goal came after some breathtaking interplay by the Argentinian and Pedro as Barca managed to neutralise the visitors' backfour with a few simple passes.
The hosts continued to dominate the game after the goal and deservedlyincreased their lead seven minutes from the final whistle when Messi completed his brace with a deft finish from just outside the six-yard box.
The little wizard went close to scoring a third shortly after, but saw a shot from the centre of the box blocked by Mateo Musacchio in what proved to be the final moment of interest for this game.
Following tonight's result, Barcelona are first in the standings before the remaining games from this round, while Villarreal retain their third place. The Yellow Submarine host Valencia in their next league game, while the Blaugrana visit Almeria.
American Jozy Altidore made the Villarreal bench for the match, but did not see any game action.
For more on Americans abroad, visit Goal.com's dedicated page and join Goal.com USA's Facebook fan page!
Goal
Own Goal
Penalty
Penalty Missed
Yellow Card
Assist
Penalty Save
Penalty Shootout Goal
Penalty Shootout Miss
Yellow Card / Red Card
Red Card
Substitution IN
Substitution OUT
Injury
Goal.com Rating
Goal.com Man of the Match
Goal.com Flop of the Match
Top & Flop Global Ranking- Fans' Man of the Match
- Fans' Flop of the Match
Results
Times In EDT
Match News
Top Scorers
| Player | Goals | Penalties | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lionel Messi
Striker Barcelona |
50 | 10 |
|
Cristiano Ronaldo
Striker Real Madrid |
46 | 12 |
|
Radamel Falcao
Striker Atlético de Madrid |
24 | 5 |
|
Gonzalo Higuaín
Striker Real Madrid |
22 | 0 |
|
Karim Benzema
Striker Real Madrid |
21 | 0 |