Villarreal secured their place in next season's Champions League with a thrilling 3-2 victory over newly-crowned La Liga champions Barcelona at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday. Despite having already wrapped up their 28th league title, Barca fielded a strong side under Hansi Flick, who reminded his players that celebrations shouldnt compromise performance. However, it was Villarreal who drew first blood through Ayoze Perez, who finished confidently after being teed up by Nicolas Pepe.
Barcelona responded with another moment of brilliance from 17-year-old Lamine Yamal, who skipped past two defenders before curling a low shot into the bottom corner to level the score. Yamal nearly gave his side the lead when he struck the bar, before Fermin Lopez rifled home from the edge of the box to put the hosts 2-1 ahead.
Villarreal were not done yet. Santi Comesana lifted the ball over Marc-Andre ter Stegen to equalise before Tajon Buchanan completed the comeback with a decisive goal in the 80th minute. The result marked Barcelona's first home defeat of 2025 and their first league loss of the year, though fans still chanted "champions" as the team was presented with the La Liga trophy after the final whistle - possibly their last match at the Olympic Stadium before returning to Camp Nou next season.
Elsewhere, Real Madrid continued their strong finish to the season with a 2-0 win over nine-man Sevilla. Kylian Mbappe, who took his tally to 29 league goals, opened the scoring with a powerful strike from range. Jude Bellingham added a late second after Sevilla saw Loic Bade and Isaac Romero sent off in each half for rash challenges.
In Madrid, Atletico thrashed Real Betis 4-1 with Julian alvarez scoring twice and assisting another, consolidating third place for Diego Simeone's side. Villarreals win, combined with Betis heavy defeat, opened up a clear gap in the race for Champions League qualification.