Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, delivered a stunning late goal, securing a hard-fought 1-0 home victory against resilient Mallorca. The win propelled Barcelona to provisional second place in the standings with 61 points, closing in on leaders Real Madrid. Yamal’s exceptional performance, marked by a brilliant curling shot in the 73rd minute, showcased his potential as a rising star, securing his fourth league goal of the season.
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez acknowledged the effectiveness of Mallorca’s defensive efforts, stating, “They did a very good job. It was hard for us.” Despite facing a challenging opponent, Xavi expressed satisfaction with the team’s competitiveness and emphasized the significance of securing three points.
Yamal, only 16 years old, reflected on his winning goal, describing it as a product of hard work and seizing the opportunity. The victory, coupled with a clean sheet, further solidified Barcelona’s position in the league. Ilkay Gundogan had an opportunity to put Barcelona ahead earlier in the match with a penalty, but Mallorca’s goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic made a crucial save.
Copa del Rey finalists Mallorca, although dangerous on the break, struggled to find the finishing touch and remain in the 15th position with 27 points. Xavi, dealing with injuries to key players, provided reassurance that Raphinha, who was substituted in the match, does not have a serious injury and will be available for the Champions League clash against Napoli on Tuesday. Barcelona is level at 1-1 in the Champions League last 16-second leg.
