16-year-old Yamal helps Barcelona fight back for 4-3 win at Villarreal
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Teenager Lamine Yamal helped Barcelona fight back to win a 4-3 thriller at Villarreal in the Spanish league on Sunday.
The 16-year-old forward set up Gavi Páez's opening goal for Barcelona, hit the woodwork twice and played a key role in Robert Lewandowski's winning goal as an entertaining game finished in the visitors’ favor.
“Lamine had another great game,” coach Xavi Hernández said. “He helped us a lot, created tons of chances, and provided two assists. I was scared when (I started playing) but we have complete faith in our young players and believe in our La Masia (training academy)."
After he caught Xavi's eye while playing for the club’s youth sides, Yamal became the youngest player to appear for Barcelona in April when he was 15 years, 9 months, 16 days. Last weekend he became the youngest player to start for Barcelona in its win over Cadiz.
“Fortunately I don’t get too scared, I just go out there and play soccer, which I love to do,” Yamal said after his performance at Villarreal. “I am trying to make the most of the chances our coach gives me.”
Yamal delivered a cross for Gavi on Sunday to head home at the far post and kick off the scoring fest in the 12th minute. Frenkie de Jong then doubled the lead three minutes later.
Villarrreal roared back in style. Juan Foyth headed in a corner kick by Álex Baena in the 26th. Alexander Sorloth tapped in a squared pass from Alfonso Pedraza in the 40th, and Baena curled in a pass from Pedraza in the 50th to put the hosts in front 3-2.
But Yamal helped Barcelona dig in and get the win that kept them two points behind leader Real Madrid.
Yamal went close to scoring in the 57th when he hit the post.
After substitute Ferran Torres put in his own rebound to level the score, Yamal dribbled past his marker and unleashed a low shot that goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen did well to send off his post. The rebound fell right to Lewandowski for him to push in for his first goal of the season.
Yamal was applauded at Villarreal's stadium — and not just by Barcelona's traveling fans — when he was substituted late.
“It was a crazy game and that was partly our fault,” Xavi said. “But once they went ahead 3-2, we played our best and generated lots of scoring chances. I think we could have scored even more goals.”
ANOTHER COMEBACK
Nico Williams earned two penalties that were converted by Mikel Vesga to help Athletic Bilbao erase a two-goal deficit and beat Real Betis 4-2 at home.
Gorka Guruzeta put Bilbao ahead 3-2 after a pass by Iñaki Williams — Nico’s brother — and Unai Gomez added a fourth.
Isco Alarcón had scored his first goal for Betis to help build an early two-goal lead. The former Real Madrid midfielder joined Betis this summer after being without a team since he left Sevilla at the end of 2022.
VALENCIA LOSES
Nacho Vidal’s acrobatic goal in stoppage time gave Osasuna a 2-1 win at Valencia.
Valencia had won its first two games of the season.
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