Clinical Yamal Matches Messi In Barca’s 6-1…

Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images

Lamine Yamal put his Ballon d’Or snub behind him by grabbing two goals and an assist in FC Barcelona’s 6-1 thrashing of Alaves in LAIGA on Saturday night.

LALIGA
Teams: FC Barcelona v Alaves
Result: 6-1
Scorers: Raphinha (8, 41′), Fermin (23′) , Yamal (45+1′, 64′) Gordon (81′) / Diaz (85′)

The Catalan giants were eager to restore some pride after losing their winning record in the league to arch-rivals Real Madrid on home soil last weekend.

Hansi Flick’s charges got off to the perfect start when Raphinha opened the scoring after just eight minutes with a fine finish in off the post after some good work by Fermín López.

The lead was doubled in the 23rd minute when Lamine Yamal turned provider with a superb ball for Fermín, who had time and space to rifle the ball into the top corner.

Alavés, meanwhile, were unable to provide any clear threat at Joan Garcia’s goal in the first half, while Antonio Silva was doing his best to keep the score down at the other end when he denied Yamal after 35 minutes.

Fermín was having a first half to remember as the attacking midfielder turned provider for a second time by picking out Raphinha, who rifled the ball home from close range to complete his brace before Yamal did get in on the act minutes later with a long-range effort of his own.

Yamal is also the first player since Lionel Messi to register double figures in goals (11) and assists (12) entering the month of November, as per MisterChip.

With one eye on the upcoming UEFA Champions League clash against Aston Villa, Flick decided to withdraw midfielder Pedri for Marc Bernal while Alavés introduced Toni Martinez in place of Carlos Protesoni.

Raphinha was not the only Barcelona player to walk away with a brace as Yamal got his second and his side’s fifth on 64 minutes with a beautiful finish into the bottom corner, with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) approving the strike.

Anthony Gordon managed to round off the scoring for the Catalan giants on 81 minutes with a stunning chip over Silva, before Alavés did grab a consolation five minutes later thanks to a fine effort from Mariano Díaz that left Garcia with no chance.

Next Five Fixtures:

Barcelona: Aston Villa (A), Atletico Madrid (A), Villarreal (H), Sabah (A), Deportivo La Carouna (A)

Alaves: Real Madrid (A), Espanyol (H), Levante (A), Elche (H), Real Betis (A)

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