Barcelona vs. Villarreal: Score, Grades, Reaction from La Liga Game

Barcelona twice came from behind to claim a fourth successive La Liga win with a 3-2 victory over Villarreal at the Camp Nou.

The Catalan side were left stunned when on-loan Real Madrid man Denis Cheryshev opened the scoring with a brilliant counter-attack move on the half-hour mark.

But Neymar equalised in the final minute of the first period to send Barcelona into the interval on level terms.

The second half, though, was characterised by an intense spell of three goals in four minutes.

Luciano Vietto was on hand to slot home for Villarreal in the 51st minute following a surging run by Giovani dos Santos.

But two minutes later, Rafinha slammed home an equaliser at the other end after Lionel Messi's close-range header was blocked.

Then in the 55th minute, Messi, who was having a quiet evening, suddenly sparked into life when he hit the back of the net after Luis Suarez found him on the edge of the area.

Suarez had been guilty of missing a number of early opportunities but refused to allow that to knock his confidence as he played his part in ending Villarreal's 18-match unbeaten run.

Rafinha was chosen ahead of Ivan Rakitic in the Barcelona midfield, while Claudio Bravo returned in place of Marc-Andre ter Stegen for Liga duty.

Former Barcelona midfielder Jonathan dos Santos was drafted in as one of a number of changes in the Villarreal lineup named by Marcelino.

Barcelona immediately chased an early goal, and a Suarez overhead kick drifted just wide as the Villarreal defence struggled to find their feet.

"

Luis Enrique: "Rafinha? Very complete game, like the others. This season, he needs to adapt a bit. No doubt he'll be a key player for Barça"

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) February 1, 2015"

Suarez was again the focal point for Barcelona in the eighth minute when he collected a through ball from Andres Iniesta inside the area, but he screwed his shot wide of goal.

The former Liverpool forward then forced a tremendous save from Sergio Asenjo with his first-time effort from the edge of the area off a Dani Alves cross.

Victor Ruiz was fortunate to escape punishment in the 17th minute for a lunge on Rafinha, but Messi's free-kick from 20 yards was blocked by the wall.

Three minutes later, Suarez went close once more as he swiveled inside the penalty box before sending the ball just wide. But the Barcelona forward was getting closer.

On the half-hour mark, though, Villarreal silenced the Camp Nou. After Javier Mascherano could only half-clear, Mario Gaspar returned a wayward shot which was heading well wide until Cheryshev stuck out a leg to send it past Bravo.

David Ramos/Getty Images

David Ramos/Getty Images

Marcelino clearly had his Villarreal team working for the counter-attack. And after breaking down a Messi chance, a yellow swarm raced upfield, and Bravo needed to be alert to deny Vietto in the 43rd minute.

In the final minute of the half, Barcelona finally penetrated the Villarreal back line. Messi broke into the right-hand channel before finding Rafinha, whose curling effort was palmed away by Asenjo. But the ball broke kindly for Neymar, who slotted home.

Messi was not at his best, and when he lost the ball in the 49th minute, another break was on for Villarreal. But Gerard Pique cut out a pass for Cheryshev to the relief of his team-mates.

However, the Barcelona defender was culpable two minutes later as Villarreal took the lead again.

A long ball out of defence appeared to be of no danger to Pique on the halfway line, but the former Manchester United man failed to control it, allowing a Dos Santos chase in on goal.

He cut back inside and laid a pass into the path of Vietto to slam home and make it 2-1.

The lead did not last long, though, as Iniesta found Suarez's run into the left-hand channel. He crossed the ball to the edge of the six-yard area, where Messi's header was blocked by Asenjo. However, Rafinha picked up the rebound to equalise.

"

Madrid product Denis Cheryshev just scored for Villarreal against Barcelona. He’s been great all game too.

— Kevin McCauley (@kevinmccauley) February 1, 2015"

Messi had clearly found his length in the game, and he gave Barcelona a 3-2 lead in the 55th minute after Suarez had poked the ball toward him from an Alves cross.

In the 64th minute, Ruiz was adjudged to be offside as he forced the ball home from a free-kick. Barcelona broke swiftly, and Asenjo appeared to bring down Neymar, although the referee disagreed.

Play continued, and Suarez seemed to slip as a cross came in. He could not find his feet in time to reach the ball and headed wide in front of an open goal.

Luis Enrique made his first switch in the 70th minute with Jeremy Mathieu coming on for Sergio Busquets, meaning a move into midfield for Mascherano.

Suarez was applauded warmly from the field in the 79th minute as he was replaced by Pedro, a testament to his assists rather than his current goalscoring prowess on the night.

The excitement of those hectic moments earlier in the half could not be replicated as Barcelona held on to extend their winning sequence to eight games in all competitions. 

Selected Player Ratings

Luis Suarez: A

Suarez missed a hatful of chances in the opening period of the game, but he was not lacking the confidence to go for goal. He needed a great save from Asenjo to deny one, but his assists were crucial for Barcelona.

Denis Cheryshev: A

The on-loan Real Madrid man did his parent club a favour with the opening goal, but it was a well-deserved reward for a hardworking display.

Rafinha: A+

Rafinha produced an excellent first-half display before being replaced by Rakitic. He forced Asenjo into a save, which led to Neymar's equaliser, before adding his own name to the scoresheet in the second period.

What's Ahead

Barcelona return to action next Sunday when they travel to Athletic Bilbao in La Liga, while Villarreal play host to Granada on Saturday.

Post-Match Reaction

"

Luis Enrique: "What does Suarez add? A lot. It's crucial to have someone to push back the centre backs. The goals will come, no doubt."

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) February 1, 2015"