Overview
- Barcelona beat Villarreal 4-1 at Camp Nou, with Yamal scoring three and Robert Lewandowski adding a late goal to extend the LaLiga lead to four points.
- At 18 years and 230 days, Yamal became the youngest player to score a LaLiga hat-trick in the 21st century.
- Returning from the bench, Pedri supplied the assist for Yamal’s third and helped Barcelona control the match in the closing stages.
- Yamal said he struggled earlier in the season with a groin issue and confidence but now feels “happy” on the pitch, as Hansi Flick—coaching his 100th Barcelona game—praised the winger’s renewed spark.
- Barcelona host Atletico Madrid next in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg trailing 4-0, and Yamal urged fans to believe in a comeback, posting “1% chance, 99% faith.”