La Liga 2024-25: Villarreal dampens Barcelona's title celebrations
Villarreal dampened Barcelona's title celebrations by handing the Catalan club its first defeat of 2025 in the Spanish league on Sunday.
Barcelona, which clinched its 28th league title midweek, presented the trophy to its fans in the team's final home match of the season at the Montjuic stadium. Players were announced one by one after the game, which Villarreal won 3-2, before lifting the trophy.
Barcelona's Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey trophies also were displayed at Montjuic, with players dancing around the silverware during the celebrations.
'We can be proud of this team for winning these titles and for how it did it,' Barcelona goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen said. 'We had a great season in all levels.'
Before the match, Villarreal players did a guard of honor for the new league champions, with its players lining up to congratulate Barcelona as the team entered the field.
Ayoze Perez put the visitors ahead after a breakaway four minutes into the match. The hosts equalised when Lamine Yamal scored with yet another beautiful goal in the teenager's outstanding season, curling in a left-footed shot from outside the area.
Fermin Lopez put Barcelona ahead in first-half stoppage time, but Santiago Comesana scored for Villarreal in the 50th, and Tajon Buchanan netted the winner in the 80th.
Barcelona hadn't lost in the league since a 2-1 defeat against Atletico on Dec. 21, with 15 wins and two draws since then. Villarreal's win was its fifth straight victory in the league.
ALSO READ | Dean Huijsen joins Real Madrid from Bournemouth for over 50 million pounds
Villarreal's victory secured its return to the Champions League for the first time since reaching the semifinal in 2022.
It will join Barcelona, Madrid, Atletico Madrid and Athletic Bilbao in Europe's top club competition next season. Spain will have five clubs in the Champions League next season.
Real Betis clinched one of the Europa League spots. Celta Vigo, Rayo Vallecano and Osasuna will be chasing the final Europa League place and the Conference League spot.
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