Girona 1-4 Barcelona: Lamine Yamal bags brace as Barca make it five wins from five in La Liga
Updated 15/09/2024 at 17:52 GMT+1
Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal bagged a brace as Barcelona made it five wins from five in La Liga with a thumping 4-1 victory at Girona. The 17-year-old already boasts a European Championship winners' medal after starring in Spain's triumph over the summer and is now helping spearhead Barca's charge to reclaim the domestic title from Real Madrid. Dani Olmo and Pedri also scored.
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Video credit: TNT Sports
Barcelona continued their flawless start to the Liga season with a 4-1 drubbing of local rivals Girona.
Barca were looking to maintain their 100% start under new manager Hansi Flick, while Girona were hoping to move closer to the UEFA Champions League spots.
The two Catalan rivals had a couple of early chances, before Lamine Yamal robbed David Lopez to open the scoring on the half-hour mark before adding a second seven minutes later.
There was controversy when Barca defender Inigo Martinez appeared to handle the ball in the box, only for the referee to rescind a penalty after a VAR check.
In the second half, Dani Olmo made it three almost immediately after the restart, and Pedri rounded the 'keeper to add another on 64 minutes.
Cristhian Stuani grabbed a late consolation goal with 10 minutes remaining, but Barcelona were otherwise left untroubled despite a late red card for Ferran Torres after a high challenge on Yaser Asprilla.
The win keeps Barcelona top of the table ahead of their Champions League tie with Monaco on Thursday.
Talking point - Are Barcelona title favourites?
Real Madrid added Kylian Mbappe to Jude Bellingham this summer, and for many, that seemed to suggest they were once again favourites for La Liga, and potentially the Champions League too.
But Barcelona keep winning, and their goals are not just from Yamal. Olmo scored again, and both Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski looked threatening too.
Flick’s improvement is evident already, and they look hungry to win another title.
Player of the match - Lamine Yamal
The youngster was the difference in the first half and after dealing with his energy and direct threat, coupled with his outstanding technique, Girona were unable to keep up with his team-mates in the second half.
Player ratings
Girona: Gazzaniga 6, Miguel 6, Lopez 5, Blind 6, Ivan Martin 6, Solis 6, Frances 6, Danjuma 6, Tsygankov 6, Gil 6, Ruiz 6. Subs: Asprilla 6, Portu 6, Van de Beek 6, Stuani 7, Arnau 6
Barcelona: Ter Stegen 7, Kounde 6, Martinez 6, Cubarsi 6, Balde 6, Pedri 7, Casado 6, Olmo 7, Yamal 8, Raphinha 7, Lewandowski 6. Subs: Ferran 6, Pau 6, Garcia 6, Fort 6, Martin 6.
Key events
31’ - GOAL! GIRONA 0-1 BARCELONA - YAMAL SCORES - Lopez is dispossessed by Lamal as he is dithering on the edge of the box. The teenager rapidly turns towards goal, faces up the 'keeper, and fires home with a rising shot.
37’ - GOAL! GIRONA 0-2 BARCELONA - YAMAL SCORES AGAIN - The free kick comes into the box, it's barely cleared and drops to the edge of the box. Yamal is poised to collect, and he clips in a left-footed finish with the 'keeper rooted to the spot.
44’ - TER STEGEN SAVE FROM GIL - AND A PENALTY - The German pulls off an exceptional stop from the winger, but the ball is quickly recycled, and Balde and Martinez come to challenge for the ball, with it touching Martinez's arm.Â
45+2’ - ​​VAR REVIEW - The referee has been called across to review, and he rescinds the decision! It really is not clear why, but perhaps they feel there was a foul on one of the Barca players as a reason to deny the award.
47’ - GOAL! GIRONA 0-3 BARCELONA - OLMO SCORES - They are almost certain to win here. Olmo races onto a long ball, away from Lopez, and he fizzes in a great volley from a tight angle.
64’ - GOAL! GIRONA 0-4 BARCELONA - PEDRI SCORES - Breaking through the middle onto a through-ball, he rounds the 'keeper and squeezes in a shot with his left foot.
80’ - GOAL! GIRONA 1-4 BARCELONA - STUANI SCORES - Cristhian Stuani adds what is likely a consolation goal as Ter Stegen misses a through ball and the forward flicks in a cross from close range.
Key stat
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