Barcelona’s 16-year-old starlet Lamine Yamal struck twice to rescue the struggling Catalans a 3-3 draw against Granada in LaLiga on Sunday.
Xavi Hernandez’s side, third, shared the spoils with their relegation-battling opponents, 19th, after a thrilling battle at the Olympic Stadium, but now trail leaders Real Madrid by 10 points.
Los Blancos thrashed second-place Girona 4-0 on Saturday to move five points clear at the top and take control of the title race.
Youngster Yamal sent 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 sent Granada in front, before Yamal struck his second, from long range. It was the kind of Barcelona performance which summarised why Xavi has decided to leave the club at the end of the season, convinced the club needs a change of direction.
“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 in my performance.”
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 area and crossed invitingly for Yamal to fire home at the far post after 14 minutes.
The winger became LaLiga’s youngest ever scorer with a goal against Granada in October when the teams met in a 2-2 draw. Barca should have doubled their lead before the break but Martin Hongla cleared off the line from Lewandowski’s shot after Pedri and Ilkay Gundogan combined brilliantly.
SOURCE: EUROSPORT