Sixteen-year-old Yamal Lamine played a starring role as FC Barcelona defeated Villarreal 4-3 in a thrilling LaLiga encounter on Sunday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Villarreal 3-4 FC Barcelona
Date: 27 August 2023
Venue: Estadi de la Ceràmica
The Catalan giants got the opening goal on 15 minutes when Lamine Yamal won possession and sent a cross to the far post, where Gavi was on hand to head home for his third goal of the season.
In doing so, Yamal also became the youngest player ever to record an assist in a LaLiga game, breaking the record held by teammate Ansu Fati.
The lead was doubled three minutes later as a well-worked passing move ended with Robert Lewandowski's pass deflecting into the path of Frenkie de Jong, who slotted into the bottom corner.
The Yellow Submarine gave themselves some by reducing the deficit in the 26th minute, with World Cup winner Juan Foyth heading home Alejandero Rodriguez's corner at the far post.
The comeback was complete five minutes before the break when Alexander Sorloth lost his marker at the far post to turn home Alfonso Pedraza's low cross for his first goal of the season.
Villarreal carried that momentum into the second half and took the lead five minutes in, as Pedraza turned provider once again to pick out Rodriguez, who sent a fine finish beyond Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
Barcelona weren't behind for too long as second-half substitute Ferran Torres won the ball high up before calmly slotting home just minutes after he replaced Oriol Romeu.
The champions found themselves ahead in the 71st minute when Lamine saw his strike rattle the upright, before Robert Lewandowski reacted quickest by firing home the rebound to get his first goal of the season.
Villarreal did push for a late equaliser but Ter Stegen ensured Barcelona walked away with the win after keeping out Sorloth's volley in second-half stoppage time.
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