Barcelona’s 16-year-old starlet Lamine Yamal on Sunday struck twice to rescue the struggling Catalans a 3-3 draw against Granada in La Liga.
Xavi Hernandez’s side, third, shared the spoils with their opponents, 19th, after a thrilling battle at the Olympic Stadium, but now trail leaders Real Madrid by 10 points.
Los Blancos thrashed second-placed Girona 4-0 on Saturday to move five points clear at the top and take full control of the title race.
Photo: AFP
Earlier, Atletico Madrid’s faint hopes of challenging for La Liga deflated further with a 1-0 defeat by Sevilla.
Youngster Yamal fired Barcelona ahead, but Granada battled back with goals from Ricard Sanchez and on-loan Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri.
Robert Lewandowski pulled Barcelona level, but Ignasi Miquel again put Granada in front, before Yamal struck his second from long range.
“It wasn’t to be, it’s another lost opportunity, but we have to keep working,” Yamal told Movistar. “I’ve got the trust of the coach, but right now I’m thinking more about the draw and that we dropped two points than my performance.”
It was the kind of Barcelona performance which summarized why Xavi has decided to leave the club at the end of the season, convinced the club needs a change of direction.
“We gave away goals and chances in many moments,” Xavi told Movistar. “The team had faith, desire and courage like always, but it wasn’t enough and now [winning La Liga] is even harder for us.”
Yamal lit up the match from the right flank, a rare bright spark on another difficult night for the champions.
Joao Cancelo turned well in the penalty area and crossed invitingly for Yamal to fire home at the far post after 14 minutes.
The winger became La Liga’s youngest-ever scorer with a goal against Granada in October last year when the teams met in a 2-2 draw.
Barca should have doubled their lead before halftime, but Martin Hongla cleared off the line from Lewandowski’s shot.
The Catalans were punished almost immediately when Pellistri crossed for Sanchez to rifle into the top corner past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The German goalkeeper, making his first appearance since November last year after a back injury, showed signs of rustiness, but could not be blamed for the goal.
At the same stage last season Barcelona had conceded eight goals in La Liga, this was the 31st in 24 matches this campaign, with two more to follow.
Pellistri put Granada ahead after Pau Cubarsi’s wayward defensive header dropped to Myrto Uzuni.
Barcelona swiftly leveled when Ilkay Gundogan fed Lewandowski who finished clinically for his 10th goal in La Liga.
The home fans hoped their team could kick on and take all three points, but Granada — now unbeaten against Barcelona in five games — had other ideas.
Miquel’s header from Faitout Maouassa’s cross gave Alexanda Medina’s side the lead once again.
It took a fine Yamal effort from outside the penalty area to restore parity, with the youngster’s strike flying in at the near post.
Atletico Madrid came up short against Sevilla, who earned a second consecutive victory for the first time all season to move to 15th, four points clear of the relegation zone.
Isaac Romero headed home after 15 minutes for the Andalucians, with Atletico, fourth, trailing league leaders Real Madrid by 13 points.
Their hopes of silverware are now pinned on the UEFA Champions League.
“We’ve lost a lot of points, so many, and games away from home — it’s something that can’t happen if you want to fight for La Liga,” Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak told DAZN. “It’s the truth, we have to be honest ... we’re a long way off Real Madrid.”
Atletico coach Diego Simeone said he was not concerned by his team’s defeat.
“I’d be worried if we weren’t playing like we were — I’m proud of what the players are doing and convinced the goals will come,” Simeone said.
Atletico forward Alvaro Morata was taken off with a knee injury and Simeone said he hoped it was “as minor as possible.”
Elsewhere, Getafe defeated RC Celta de Vigo 3-2 and RCD Mallorca edged Rayo Vallecano 2-1.
Taiwan kept their hopes of advancing to next year’s World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome on Saturday, backed by solid pitching. Taiwan last night played against Nicaragua. As of press time, Nicaragua was leading 6-0. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan on Saturday kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen struck out one and allowed no hits, except for a hit-by-pitch over
Taiwan kept its hopes of advancing to the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome last night, backed by solid pitching. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. The win was crucial for Taiwan, as a loss would have eliminated the team from contention for the next WBC. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen (沙子宸) struck out one and allowed no hits, except for
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