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Barcelona logo
La Liga
Feb 1, 2015 at 8pm UK
 
Villarreal logo

3-2

Neymar (45'), Rafinha (53'), Messi (55')
FT(HT: 1-1)
Cheryshev (30'), Vietto (51')

Barcelona come from behind twice to see off Villarreal

Barcelona twice come from behind to seal a thrilling 3-2 win over Villarreal in Sunday evening's La Liga clash at the Nou Camp.

Barcelona came from behind twice to seal a 3-2 win against Villarreal in Sunday evening's La Liga clash at the Camp Nou, recording their eighth victory in a row.

Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona performs an overhead during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF at Camp Nou on February 1, 2015© Getty Images

The hosts were first to threaten following a slow start, Andres Iniesta threading a pass through to Luis Suarez, but the Uruguayan sent his low shot wide of the post.

Just before the quarter-hour mark, the former Liverpool striker bore down on goal before unleashing a curling shot towards the top corner, but Sergio Asenjo was able to pull off a smart save to keep his side's clean sheet intact.

And Suarez was in the thick of the action once again in the 21st minute when he collected the ball inside the Villarreal box before blasting over the bar.

On the half-hour mark, the visitors took the lead through a quick counter that was bundled into the net by Denis Cheryshev's deflection from Mario's shot.

Villarreal's players celebrates after scoring a goal during the Spanish league football match FC Barcelona vs Villarreal CF at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on February 1, 2015© Getty Images

However, just as it seemed like the Yellow Submarine would be taking a one-goal lead into the second half, the hosts equalised when a Rafinha shot saved by Asenjo was poked home on the rebound by Neymar.

In the 52nd minute, Villarreal stunned the Camp Nou for the second time in the match, Giovani dos Santos dispossessing Gerard Pique before marauding into the box and slotting the ball to Luciano Vietto, who turned it into the net from close range.

Just two minutes later, Barca were level once again, as Lionel Messi's header was palmed away by Asenjo into the path of Rafinha, who had the simple task of drilling home from five yards.

The hosts then stormed back in front mere moments later when Suarez played the ball across to Messi, who duly curled a fine shot into the top corner of the Villarreal net.

Just after the hour, Victor Ruiz thought that he had pulled the visitors back following his acrobatic volley from close range, but the effort was disallowed for offside, and within seconds, Barca had a penalty appeal turned down when Asenjo appeared to have brought down Neymar in the box.

The Blaugrana were able to see the game out in the latter stages against an increasingly deflated Villarreal side, giving Luis Enrique's charges all three points to keep the pressure on Real Madrid at the top of La Liga.

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Luis Suarez of FC Barcelona performs an overhead during the La Liga match between FC Barcelona and Villarreal CF at Camp Nou on February 1, 2015
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid35286178225690
2GironaGirona35236675443175
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico35224964392570
5Athletic Bilbao351711757352262
6Real Sociedad341412848351354
7Real BetisBetis34131384339452
8Valencia35139133739-248
9Villarreal35139135960-148
10Getafe351013124148-743
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla351011144749-241
13Osasuna35117173953-1440
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca35714142840-1235
16Rayo Vallecano35714142743-1635
17Celta Vigo35810174053-1334
18CadizCadiz35514162449-2529
RGranada3549223668-3221
RAlmeria34211213367-3417


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