Barcelona 1-0 Mallorca: Lamine Yamal strike hands Barca narrow win to keep La Liga title hopes alive
Lamine Yamal’s wonder goal helped Barcelona move to second place in La Liga after a narrow 1-0 win over Mallorca.
The 16-year-old scored what proved to be the winner in the 73rd minute, as Xavi’s side leapfrogged Girona and closed the gap on leaders Real Madrid to five points.
The hosts were handed the ideal opportunity to break the deadlock midway through the first half when Copete brought down Raphinha in the box.
However, Predrag Rajkovic guessed correctly to deny Ilkay Gundogan from 12 yards out.
Chances were few and far between at Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, with Rajkovic also producing wonderful reflex saves to thwart Joao Felix and Yamal.
Although, the Mallorca goalkeeper was rooted to his spot 17 minutes from time as Yamal cleverly lost his marker, before bending a beautiful shot into the far corner to seal all three points for Barca.
Talking Point – The teenage dream continues
The match was crying out for somebody to stand up and take control, and Yamal certainly made his contribution count.
It was going to take something special to beat Rajkovic and the 16-year-old duly obliged when his side needed him most.
Demonstrating maturity well beyond his years, his stunning individual effort means he has now been directly involved in four goals in his last four La Liga appearances (three goals, one assist).
Though he conceded possession a game-high 20 times, Yamal was not to be denied and kept plugging away, and Barca will hope his intervention here will prove crucial come the end of the season.
Player of the Match – Predrag Rajkovic
Very unfortunate to be on the losing side, Rajkovic valiantly kept Barca at bay, though there was nothing he could do about Yamal’s strike.
The Mallorca goalkeeper did brilliantly to deny the teenager not too long earlier, somehow tipping his fierce strike onto the crossbar, while he also thwarted Joao Felix and kept out Gundogan’s penalty.
That marked his ninth penalty save in La Liga since the start of the 2019-20 season, the most by any goalkeeper in the big five European leagues during that time.
Player Ratings
Barcelona: Ter Stegen 7; Kounde 7, Cubarsi 7, Martinez 8, Cancelo 7; Gundogan 6, Christensen 6, Raphinha 5; Yamal 8, Guiu 5, Joao Felix 7. Subs: Fermin 6, Lewandowski 6, Vitor Roque 5, Romeu N/A.
Mallorca: Rajkovic 9*; Gonzalez 6, Nastasic 6, Raillo 6, Copete 6, Lato 6; Darder 6, S. Costa 5, Morlanes 6; Larin 6, Muriqi 6. Subs: Rodriguez 5, J. Costa 5, Sanchez 5, Prats N/A, Radonjic N/A.
Match Highlights
24′ – SAVED: Rajkovic denies Gundogan from the penalty spot! Indeed, the Mallorca goalkeeper guesses correctly, diving to his left side to palm the Barca midfielder’s kick away.
35′ – JUST WIDE: Joao Felix brilliantly loses his marker on the edge of the box and generates space to shoot. He catches his effort sweetly, but it flashes whiskers wide of Rajkovic’s left post.
48 – SAVE: Barca go on the attack and Joao Felix gets a shot away from a tight angle. Rajkovic is forced to get down at his near post and make an important block.
57′ – WHAT A SAVE: Barca strike the crossbar this time as Yamal’s fierce drive crashes against the woodwork. Although, it did so with the faintest of fingertips from Rajkovic, who has been the man of the match so far here.
73′ – GOAL!!! BARCELONA 1-0 MALLORCA (YAMAL): What a goal! Barca break the deadlock in spectacular fashion! Receiving the ball on the edge of the box, Yamal cleverly turns Rodriguez inside out before curling a brilliant shot into the right corner of the flat-footed Rajkovic.
