The teenage wonderkid was simply too good for Girona, as he scored a brilliant brace in a 4-1 thumping of last season’s third-placed finishers.
Barcelona may well have expected a tricky trip to Girona, given that they upset the applecart by qualifying for the Champions League last season, but inspired by Lamine Yamal, they ran riot.
On the half-hour mark, Barcelona found a way through thanks to wonderkid Yamal, who robbed defender David Lopez on the edge of his own box, turned, and finished coolly.
And he had a second just six minutes later, curling an effort into the bottom corner from the edge of the box, through a clutch of Girona bodies.
Girona thought they had a penalty before half-time, as the ball struck Inigo Martinez’s hand, but the referee was overruled by VAR and the decision was amended.
Within two minutes of the second half, Barca were 3-0 up, as Dani Olmo finished viciously from an acute angle.
Just after the hour, Pedri added a fourth, sprinting onto a brilliant through ball from Marc Casado and lifting the ball over the goalkeeper.
Girona pulled a goal back in the final 10 minutes through Christhian Stuani, while Ferran Torres was sent off before full-time after a nasty lunge in midfield.
GOAL rates Barcelona’s players from Montilivi…
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Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):
Made an excellent first-half save to deny Bryan Gil. Rarely tested thereafter but went walkabout when Christian Stuani scored.
Jules Kounde (7/10):
Set up shop in Girona’s half and provided an assist for Olmo’s strike. Very effective in both halves.
Pau Cubarsi (7/10):
Stood up well to Girona’s attack. Passed the ball well too; a defender beyond his years.
Inigo Martinez (5/10):
Fortunate not to give away a penalty as he handled the ball in the box. Solid otherwise.
Alejandro Balde (6/10):
Smashed an early effort just over. Got forward whenever he could, and had Girona’s defence running scared but the goal came down his side as he was not able to cover.
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AFPMidfield
Pedri (7/10):
So rarely loses the ball. Scored a fabulous goal as he sprinted onto a glorious through ball and finished. Subbed.
Marc Casado (7/10):
Heavily involved in build-up and put his body on the line defensively too, with more than one successful tackle. A glorious assist for Pedri, as he split the defence with one pass.
Dani Olmo (7/10):
Scored Barca’s third, as he fired a rasping effort into the roof of the net from an acute angle. Subbed on the hour in a clearly pre-planned change. Replaced by Eric after a lively display.
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Getty Images SportAttack
Lamine Yamal (9/10):
Opened the scoring in emphatic fashion, pressing high and finishing calmly. Scored again soon after as his effort from the edge of the box found the bottom corner. Amazingly, one of the players to make the most tackles in the game. He’s unbelievable, and at this rate, it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that he could go on and become Barcelona’s next Lionel Messi.
Robert Lewandowski (5/10):
Assisted Yamal’s second goal. Missed a superb opportunity when sent through one-on-one. Replaced by Ferran Torres. Some excellent hold-up but will be disappointed not to have scored.
Raphinha (6/10):
Tracked back well. Some excellent dribbles but was not able to turn his excellent positioning into a clear-cut chance.
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Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
Eric Garcia (6/10):
On for Olmo. Kept the midfield ticking.
Hector Fort (5/10):
On for Cubarsi. Was nowhere when Girona got in behind to score their consolation.
Ferran Torres (4/10):
Replaced Lewandowski. Sent off with five minutes to go after a nasty lunge in midfield. At 4-1, it was a completely unnecessary challenge, and he is now suspended.
Pau Victor (6/10):
On for Pedri. Did not have quite the same impact in midfield, but that was a mighty task.
Gerard Martin (N/A)
On in injury time.
Hansi Flick (7/10):
Managed to rotate heavily within the game and got his lineup and tactics spot on. Barcelona’s high press yielded a goal, and more than one high quality chance. They’re starting to purr.
Source goal.com
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