• BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen 7 - The German goalkeeper saved well from Etienne Capoue to keep Barcelona’s lead intact but could have done better with the goal from Samuel Chukwueze after being rounded by the Nigerian winger. Getty
    BARCELONA RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen 7 - The German goalkeeper saved well from Etienne Capoue to keep Barcelona’s lead intact but could have done better with the goal from Samuel Chukwueze after being rounded by the Nigerian winger. Getty
  • Oscar Mingueza 7 - Football’s most talismanic passers would have been proud of Mingueza’s assist that eased over the Villarreal defence and into Antoine Griezmann’s path. AFP
    Oscar Mingueza 7 - Football’s most talismanic passers would have been proud of Mingueza’s assist that eased over the Villarreal defence and into Antoine Griezmann’s path. AFP
  • Gerard Pique 6 - Villarreal’s strikers didn’t have too much space against the Barcelona back three as Pique looked to close down spaces quickly inside the box. Getty
    Gerard Pique 6 - Villarreal’s strikers didn’t have too much space against the Barcelona back three as Pique looked to close down spaces quickly inside the box. Getty
  • Clement Lenglet 6 - The French defender didn’t look comfortable with direct runs in behind from Chukwueze but was well organised alongside Pique when defending inside the box. Getty
    Clement Lenglet 6 - The French defender didn’t look comfortable with direct runs in behind from Chukwueze but was well organised alongside Pique when defending inside the box. Getty
  • Sergino Dest 7 - The USA international looked bright before being withdrawn at half time with what is expected to be from a slight knock. It’s clear Dest is quickly adapting to the fast Barca style with a positive display on the right-hand side. AFP
    Sergino Dest 7 - The USA international looked bright before being withdrawn at half time with what is expected to be from a slight knock. It’s clear Dest is quickly adapting to the fast Barca style with a positive display on the right-hand side. AFP
  • Sergio Busquets 7 - Read the play well and kept things ticking for Barcelona as the anchor. A professional display. AP
    Sergio Busquets 7 - Read the play well and kept things ticking for Barcelona as the anchor. A professional display. AP
  • Pedri 6 - The 18-year-old midfielder has played a lot of games of late and this could explain the dimmer spark than usual on Sunday. While Pedri kept the ball moving safely and didn’t make many mistakes, it was unsurprising to see him substituted in the 64th minute. EPA
    Pedri 6 - The 18-year-old midfielder has played a lot of games of late and this could explain the dimmer spark than usual on Sunday. While Pedri kept the ball moving safely and didn’t make many mistakes, it was unsurprising to see him substituted in the 64th minute. EPA
  • Frenkie de Jong 7 - The Dutchman must be wondering how he didn’t score after failing to cap off a majestical Barcelona move from three yards out. The Dutchman looked like he had the ball on a string when passing but didn’t seem to have his finishing boots on after scooping wide from a Dembele pass. Getty
    Frenkie de Jong 7 - The Dutchman must be wondering how he didn’t score after failing to cap off a majestical Barcelona move from three yards out. The Dutchman looked like he had the ball on a string when passing but didn’t seem to have his finishing boots on after scooping wide from a Dembele pass. Getty
  • Jordi Alba 7 - A high volume of Barca attacks came via Alba as he regularly found space behind Juan Foyth, and had the delivery to go with it. A solid performance. Reuters
    Jordi Alba 7 - A high volume of Barca attacks came via Alba as he regularly found space behind Juan Foyth, and had the delivery to go with it. A solid performance. Reuters
  • Antoine Griezmann 9 - One of Griezmann’s best performances of the season as the French striker equalised elegantly over Asenjo from a Mingueza pass before reading a backpass to punish Villarreal for Barca’s second. Link-up play from Griezmann often saw Barcelona move the ball into dangerous areas. AFP
    Antoine Griezmann 9 - One of Griezmann’s best performances of the season as the French striker equalised elegantly over Asenjo from a Mingueza pass before reading a backpass to punish Villarreal for Barca’s second. Link-up play from Griezmann often saw Barcelona move the ball into dangerous areas. AFP
  • Lionel Messi 7 - A constant threat with Barca’s starman able to tempt in challenges which eventually saw Villarreal’s Manu Trigueros sent off. Unlucky not to score in the first half as Sergio Asenjo saved well at the near post. Getty
    Lionel Messi 7 - A constant threat with Barca’s starman able to tempt in challenges which eventually saw Villarreal’s Manu Trigueros sent off. Unlucky not to score in the first half as Sergio Asenjo saved well at the near post. Getty
  • SUBSTITUTES: Sergi Roberto (Dest, 45) 6 - A cross almost completed Griezmann’s hat-trick as Roberto placed the ball into a good area. Defended well against Villarreal's late spell of pressure. Getty
    SUBSTITUTES: Sergi Roberto (Dest, 45) 6 - A cross almost completed Griezmann’s hat-trick as Roberto placed the ball into a good area. Defended well against Villarreal's late spell of pressure. Getty
  • Ilaix Moriba (Pedri, 64) 6 - Ilaix provided an instant spark for Barcelona, but the substitute should have done better when finding space 12 yards out - blazing his effort over the bar. AFP
    Ilaix Moriba (Pedri, 64) 6 - Ilaix provided an instant spark for Barcelona, but the substitute should have done better when finding space 12 yards out - blazing his effort over the bar. AFP
  • Ronald Araujo (Busquets, 88) N/A - The scorer from midweek came on to see the game out. Ousmane Dembele (Griezmann, 80) N/A - Unlucky not to get an assist after a pinpoint pass found the run of Frenkie de Jong 1v1 against the goalkeeper. Reuters
    Ronald Araujo (Busquets, 88) N/A - The scorer from midweek came on to see the game out. Ousmane Dembele (Griezmann, 80) N/A - Unlucky not to get an assist after a pinpoint pass found the run of Frenkie de Jong 1v1 against the goalkeeper. Reuters

Football

Barcelona player ratings v Villarreal: Antoine Griezmann 9, Lionel Messi 7, Sergio Busquets 7

Griezmann's double secures crucial 2-1 victory on Sunday

Adam Brown

April 26, 2021

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Antoine Griezmann's double fired Barcelona to a 2-1 win at Villarreal on Sunday as they stayed on the heels of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.

Nigerian forward Samuel Chukwueze gave Villarreal the lead in the 27th minute but Griezmann responded immediately down the other end with a chip before pouncing on a defensive slip to put Barca in front in the 35th.

Villarreal put the Catalans under renewed pressure in the second half but were reduced to 10 men in the 65th minute when Manu Trigueros was given a straight red card for a crunching tackle on Lionel Messi.

The victory took third-placed Barca on to 71 points after 32 games, level with second-placed Real Madrid who have played 33 and two behind leaders Atletico.

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the picture gallery above. To view the next image, click on the arrows or swipe if on a mobile device.

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