Lamine Yamal, the 18-year-traditional Barcelona winger, has announced he will gift the match ball from Saturday’s 4-1 victory over Villarreal to his mother, following his first career hat-trick. The win propelled Barcelona four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga standings.
Yamal’s performance at Camp Nou was described as “magical” and “decisive,” with all three of his goals coming off his left foot. The first, in the 27th minute, followed a well-worked move and a precise finish into the bottom left corner. Nine minutes later, he doubled Barcelona’s lead with a stunning strike into the top-left corner, assisted by Fermín López. His third goal, in the 68th minute, came after a through pass from Pedri, a low, curled shot into the far post.
Villarreal managed to pull a goal back through Pape Gueye in the second half, but Yamal’s hat-trick had already effectively sealed the result. Robert Lewandowski added a fourth goal in stoppage time, completing the 4-1 scoreline.
Speaking after the match, Yamal reflected on a return to form after a recent period where he admitted he wasn’t feeling his best. “It was a mix of everything,” he told Movistar+, via BeIN Sports. “I wasn’t feeling well myself, plus the pubalgia. I wasn’t happy playing, and you could see it. For about a week now, I feel much better. I feel like smiling even as playing again, something I hadn’t felt in a long time. Now I’m happy playing.”
Yamal’s hat-trick also saw him match La Liga’s record for most goals before turning 19, with 12 games remaining in the season. He now has the opportunity to break the record outright. The performance has further cemented his reputation as one of the most exciting young talents in world football.
Barcelona’s victory comes ahead of a challenging Champions League tie against Newcastle United. The Catalan club avoided a difficult draw that included Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. Should they overcome Newcastle, Barcelona will face either Atletico Madrid or Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals, with a potential semi-final against Arsenal also on the horizon.
