Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to four points with a commanding 4-1 victory over Villarreal on Saturday, as Lamine Yamal scored the first hat-trick of his senior career.
Barcelona overcame an uneasy start to take control before half-time, with Yamal’s clinical finishing proving decisive. The result increases the pressure on Real Madrid, who play on Monday.
Yamal takes control
Villarreal began brightly and applied early pressure, but Barcelona capitalised on a turnover in midfield in the 28th minute.
Fermin Lopez dispossessed Pape Gueye and fed Yamal, who opened his body to curl a low shot into the bottom corner.
Nine minutes later, Yamal doubled the advantage with a moment of individual quality. Receiving the ball on the right flank, he beat his marker with a stepover before cutting inside and firing into the top corner to make it 2-0 at the break.
Villarreal respond, Barca regain grip
The visitors responded quickly after half-time. A Nicolas Pepe corner was not fully cleared and Gueye swept home from close range to reduce the deficit.
Villarreal nearly equalised soon after when Ayoze Perez broke through but dragged his effort wide.
Barcelona regained control following the introduction of Pedri, whose composure stabilised midfield. In the 69th minute, he found Yamal inside the area and the teenager cut in to slot home his third of the night.
With the outcome effectively decided, Jules Kounde broke forward in stoppage time and squared for Robert Lewandowski to tap into an empty net, sealing a comprehensive win.