Lamine Yamal stunner gives win to listless Barça
Written by I Dig SportsBarcelona teenager Lamine Yamal struck a fine goal to secure a hard-fought 1-0 home win against a dangerous Mallorca side on Friday to move within five points of leaders Real Madrid.
The victory put the hosts provisionally in second place on 61 points, two clear of Girona, as they closed in on Madrid, who host struggling Celta Vigo on Sunday.
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Yamal's exquisite shot from just inside the corner of the area for the 73rd-minute goal salvaged an otherwise lacklustre Barcelona from a second straight draw.
It was the 16-year-old Yamal's sixth goal across all competitions in his first full season with Barcelona. He's set several milestones for his young age, such as the youngest player to debut and to score in the Spanish league, to score for Spain and to start in the Champions League.
His four league goals before the age of 17 are twice as many as any other player at the same age in LaLiga history. Yamal turns 17 in July.
Ilkay Gündogan could have put Barcelona ahead in the 24th minute with a penalty following a VAR check for a challenge on Raphinha. However, Mallorca goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic dived to his left to deny the German international.
Barça boss Xavi Hernandez, who lost midfielders Frenkie de Jong and Pedri to injury in the last game, was forced to take off Raphinha in the 37th after a foul on the Brazilian forward.
Xavi kept Robert Lewandowski on the bench until the final half hour, resting him before Tuesday's Champions League round of 16 second leg against Napoli. Their first game in Italy ended 1-1.
Information from Reuters and The Associated Press contributed to this report.