Raphinha, Yamal put Barcelona in control

Barcelona wingers Raphinha and Lamine Yamal guided the Catalan giants four points clear at the top of La Liga with a 2-0 win at 10-man Villarreal on Sunday.

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Brazil international Raphinha won and converted an early penalty before Villarreal's Renato Veiga was sent off before halftime for a late lunge on teenager Yamal.

The 18-year-old slotted home Barca's second midway through the second half, as Hansi Flick's side restored their advantage on Real Madrid and won an eighth consecutive league game.

Villarreal are fourth after Atletico Madrid moved ahead of them with a comfortable 3-0 win at Girona earlier on.

"The attitude and mentality of the team is great, we're playing as one unit and that is great to see," Flick told reporters.

"It was great to win here, a huge opponent, I like this team, how they play... now we are four points ahead and this is a really good thing, also to celebrate [at] Christmas."