Lamine Yamal's magic can save Barcelona!

Lamine Yamal scores a stunning goal to lead the struggling Blaugrana to a close victory in La Liga.

The 16-year-old delivered yet another commendable performance, contributing to his team's ongoing unbeaten run.

Lamine Yamal celebrated exuberantly, rightfully so. The 16-year-old had just delivered a moment of brilliance that transformed an otherwise frustrating match. Shifting onto his left foot, he unleashed a shot reminiscent of Lionel Messi, finding the far corner and securing a 1-0 victory for Barcelona over Mallorca.

Barcelona had a chance to take the lead in the first half when Raphinha was fouled in the box, but Ilkay Gundogan failed to convert the subsequent penalty.

In the second half, Mallorca came close to scoring as Vedat Muriqi's header hit the bar with Marc-Andre ter Stegen rooted to the spot. Yamal responded with another near miss, striking the woodwork with a powerful shot. However, he seized the next opportunity with a magnificent curled shot to clinch the win.

Match highlight

Barcelona showed significant improvement in this match, displaying creativity but falling short in crucial moments. However, everything changed when Yamal took charge. Barca now has a new magician in their midst.

Player Ratings from the Olympic Stadium for Barcelona

Goalkeeper & Defence

Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):

Had limited involvement in the game, making three saves and showcasing steady distribution.

Jules Kounde (7/10):

Consistently solid as a right-back, displaying more comfort in that position than in the center. Contributed effectively to Yamal's defensive setup.

Pau Cubarsi (8/10):

Impressed with his defensive contributions, including a notable recovery and block.

Inigo Martinez (5/10):

Displayed a lack of pace and agility alongside Cubarsi, appearing slow and somewhat aged. His performance reflects a season with mixed results.

Joao Cancelo (5/10):

Energetic and threatening while operating on the left wing, yet his final delivery lacked precision. Defensively, there were noticeable shortcomings.

Midfield

Andreas Christensen (6/10):

Performed well as the anchor in midfield, proving to be a reliable option in that position.

Ilkay Gundogan (7/10):

Despite a poorly struck penalty that was subsequently saved, Gundogan excelled as the crucial link Barca needed in their midfield.

Raphinha (6/10):

Contributed effectively before being substituted due to an apparent ankle injury, putting in a commendable effort.

Joao Felix (6/10):

Narrowly missed a chance toward the end of the first half. Showcased skillful ball work but failed to assert dominance in the game.

Attack

Marc Guiu (6/10):

Given a starting role instead of Robert Lewandowski, Guiu didn't have any opportunities to score, despite putting in a tireless effort throughout the match.

Lamine Yamal (8/10):

Limited involvement in the first half, but significantly improved in the second. His standout moment came with a remarkable, Messi-esque winning goal.

Subs & Manager

Fermin Lopez (6/10):

Entered the game in place of the injured Raphinha and immediately injected energy into the central midfield.

Vitor Roque (7/10):

Made an impressive impact with dynamic runs from deep, showcasing determination and a desire to prove himself during his cameo appearance.

Robert Lewandowski (5/10):

A disappointing performance in his 30-minute stint, highlighted by a questionable dive in the box.

Oriol Romeu (N/A):

Brought on for late-game defensive stability.

Oscar Hernandez (7/10):

Took charge on the sideline following Xavi's suspension due to yellow card accumulation. Managed the game effectively, displaying composure in keeping Yamal in the contest. While not flawless, his performance was very commendable.