Barcelona: Lamine Yamal scored a landmark first hat-trick of his career as Barcelona beat Villarreal to ensure they will stay top of La Liga. The 18-year-old put the home side in control at half-time by scoring twice in nine minutes, both from Fermin Lopez assists. Villarreal then pulled a goal back through Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye and the visitors spurned a great chance to equalise. But Lamine Yamal struck again before substitute Robert Lewandowski made it 4-1 in stoppage time to send Barcelona four points clear of Real Madrid, who host Getafe on Monday.
According to Ghana Web, Lamine Yamal's feat, at the age of 18 years and 230 days, made him the youngest player to hit a first treble in La Liga this century, according to statisticians Opta. Fermin was one of four players to come into Barcelona's starting line-up, promoted after scoring the final goal as a substitute in the 3-0 home win over Levante. The 22-year-old midfielder created the game's first clear-cut chance for right-back Jules Kounde, who dragged his shot wide of the far post.
Lamine Yamal had a speculative effort held by Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior but made no mistake from his next chance, creating a superb second goal. Fermin pounced on a loose ball in midfield before playing in Lamine Yamal, who took a touch before slotting in the opener. The teenage Spain international then received the ball on the right wing and beat two defenders before firing high past Junior.
Junior made a point-blank save from Dani Olmo right after half-time, and Villarreal halved the deficit moments later, with Gueye converting from close range after a corner fell into his path. The visitors, having won three of their past four games, were in third place, nine points behind Real, and Ayoze Perez should have drawn them level after 54 minutes.
Barcelona keeper Joan Garcia failed to clear after rushing out to halt a Villarreal counter-attack, leaving two defenders between Perez and the goal, but the ex-Newcastle and Leicester forward shot wide from outside the box. Tempers flared on the sideline, with each team's head coach booked, before Barcelona's Hansi Flick brought on Pedri for Olmo.
The 23-year-old Spain midfielder helped the hosts regain control before threading a pass through to Lamine Yamal, who beat Junior from a wide angle to reach 13 La Liga goals this season and a combined 101 goals and assists for club and country. Pedri and French defender Kounde then combined for the latter to square for Lewandowski to tap in his 11th La Liga goal of the season.