Spain Spanish midfielder Lamine Yamal opened the scoring and scored the decisive goal to help Barca draw 3-3 with Granada in round 24 of La Liga.
Yamal had a successful match on a personal level, becoming the highest scorer under the age of 17 in La Liga history with three goals. Before scoring twice against Granada, Lamine scored his first league goal in the same match in a 2-2 draw with the same opponents in October 2023.
The previous record for most goals scored by a player under the age of 17 in La Liga was held by Ansu Fati and Iker Muniain with two goals each, while Fabrice Olinga and Xisco Nadal each scored one goal. Lamine could break that record further, having only turned 17 on July 13.
Yamal dribbles past the Granada defence during the La Liga match round 24 at the Olimpic Lluis Companys stadium, in Barcelona on February 11. Photo: FC Barcelona
Lamine came through the famous La Masia academy and made his first-team debut as a substitute for Gavi in a 4-0 win over Betis in April 2023. He holds numerous records as the youngest player to play for Barca (15 years, nine months and 16 days), the youngest starter for Barca (16 years, 38 days), the youngest assist provider in La Liga (16 years, 45 days) and the youngest starter in Champions League history (16 years, 83 days). In late 2023, Lamine signed a new contract until June 2026 with a release clause of one billion euros, equivalent to $1.05 billion.
At the Olimpic Lluis Companys stadium - Barca's home ground this season when Camp Nou was renovated - on February 11, Lamine opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a close-range tap-in from Joao Cancelo's cross.
Then, in the 43rd and 60th minutes, Facundo Pellistri - a player currently playing for Granada on loan from Man Utd - assisted Ricard Sanchez to equalise and then finished close range to put the visitors ahead. At 22 years and 53 days, Pellistri became the youngest player to both score and assist away to Barca in La Liga since Samuel Eto'o at 19 years and 30 days in April 2000.
In the 63rd minute, Robert Lewandowski scored from Ilkay Gundogan's cross, then Ignasi Miquel - a player who had spent time training at La Masia - re-established the lead for Granada.
Lewandowski celebrates equalizing 2-2 for Barca in the 63rd minute. Photo: FC Barcelona
Barca's defence has continued to be shaky, conceding 23 goals in 11 games in all competitions in 2024, more than any other team in Europe's top five leagues. Frosinone are next in Serie A with 22 goals conceded in seven games.
The 3-3 draw left Barca in third place, ten points behind leaders Real. On February 17, Xavi and his team visited Celta Vigo.
Line-up :
Barca : Ter Stegen, Kounde, Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Cancelo (Raphinha 75), De Jong, Christensen (Fermin 67), Gundogan, Yamal, Pedri (Guiu 89), Lewandowski.
Granada : Batalla, Maouassa, Miquel, Rubio, Ricard Sanchez, Hongla, Sergio Ruiz, Gumbau (Torrente 90), Melendo (Callejon 75), Pellistri (Jozwiak 84), Uzuni (Arezo 84).
Hong Duy
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