Special day for Yamal – first career hat-trick to dismantle Yellow Submarine

Given Villarreal’s strong season in the domestic league and Barcelona’s rather inconsistent form lately, Hansi Flick’s side approached this match with maximum caution — especially among them, Lamine Yamal. Yamal danced across the pitch and delivered his three-goal performance. The icing on the cake was put by Robert Lewandowski after a phenomenal move, securing Hansi Flick’s team a convincing victory over Villarreal.

Barcelona headed into the break in full control after an electric first-half display, inspired by a sensational performance from Lamine Yamal.

The hosts threatened early and should have taken the lead in the 13th minute. Jules Kounde found himself completely unmarked inside the Villarreal box, but the Frenchman wasted a golden opportunity, firing his effort well wide of the target.

Ten minutes later, Yamal offered a glimpse of what was to come. Cutting inside from the left in his trademark fashion, the youngster unleashed a decent strike, but it lacked the power to seriously trouble goalkeeper Luiz Junior, who made a comfortable save.

The breakthrough arrived in the 28th minute. After a lightning-fast counterattack, Fermin Lopez slipped a perfectly weighted pass to Yamal on the right flank. With acres of space ahead of him, the Spaniard kept his composure and finished with ease to make it 1-0 — his 11th La Liga goal of the season.

Barcelona doubled their advantage in the 37th minute, and once again it was Yamal at the heart of it. The winger dazzled down the right side, gliding past two defenders before unleashing a trademark curling effort from a tight angle. The stunning strike left Luiz Junior with no chance and put the home side firmly in command at 2-0.

Villarreal nearly pulled one back in the 41st minute. Pepe picked out Ayoze Perez at the far post with a clever delivery, but the forward was inches away from making contact and turning the ball into the net.

Barcelona responded quickly. In the 43rd minute, Raphinha tested the visiting keeper with a well-struck free-kick from around 25 meters, only for Luiz Junior to produce another solid save.

Deep into stoppage time, Yamal came agonizingly close to completing a first-half hat-trick. Receiving the ball in his favorite pocket of space, he attempted an audacious outside-of-the-foot effort that narrowly sailed over the bar.

Just two minutes after the restart, Dani Olmo had a golden opportunity to put the result beyond doubt. Jules Kounde delivered a precise pass into the box, finding Olmo almost on the six-yard line, but Luiz Junior reacted brilliantly to deny him from close range.

Villarreal responded quickly. In the 49th minute, they found a way back into the match. After a chaotic corner situation where the ball ricocheted off several players inside the area, Pape Gueye reacted fastest and fired home from five meters out, beating Joan Garcia to reduce the deficit.

The visitors nearly stunned the home crowd five minutes later. Joan Garcia rushed off his line and misjudged the situation, gifting Ayoze Perez a massive chance. From around 20 meters, with the goal wide open, Perez somehow sent his effort wide — a huge let-off for Barcelona.

The game continued to swing from end to end. In the 63rd minute, Ferran Torres came close to restoring the two-goal cushion. However, from point-blank range he struck straight at Luiz Junior, who once again stood firm between the posts.

Barcelona finally found breathing space in the 69th minute — and it was their star of the night who delivered once more. Pedri slipped a perfectly weighted through ball into open space, releasing Lamine Yamal one-on-one with the goalkeeper. The young Spaniard kept his composure and calmly slotted home to complete his hat-trick and restore Barcelona’s two-goal advantage.

Barcelona produced a brilliant move near the very end of the match when Pedri delivered a superb pass to Kounde on the flank, who returned it to Lewandowski, and the Polish striker calmly found the back of the net to seal a convincing win for the home side.

LA LIGA - MATCHDAY 26

Friday

Levante - Alaves 2-0 (0-0)

/Espí 88, 90+7/

Saturday

Rayo Vallecano - Athletic Bilbao 1-1 (1-0)

/De Frutos 35 - Williams 47/

Barcelona - Villareal 4-1 (2-0)

/Yamal 28, 37, 69, Lewandowski 90+1 - Gueye 49/

20.30: (3.15) Mallorca (3.20) Real Sociedad (2.50)

23.00: (5.50) Oviedo (3.60) Atletico Madrid (1.68)

Sunday

16.00: (2.50) Elche (3.25) Espanyol (3.10)

18.15: (2.40) Valencia (3.25) Osasuna (3.30)

20.30: (1.80) Betis (3.75) Sevilla (4.80)

23.00: (2.50) Girona (3.25) Celta (3.10)

Monday

23.00: (1.32) Real Madrid (5.50) Getafe (10.5)

***odds are subject to change***