Lamine Yamal, a diamond in the making

Lamine Yamal was just 16 years and 45 days old today when he slipped a dextrous cross onto the head of Gavi to score the first goal of the afternoon at the Estadio de la Cerámica. That makes him the youngest player this century to provide an assist in the Spanish top flight.

Lamine on song

It all began with a Gündoğan corner. The ball was too long but Lamine Yamal managed to get on the end of it on the right wing. He then belied his youth to coolly place a delightful cross over to the far post, where Gavi was waiting to nod the ball home.

Yamal thus betters his team-mate Ansu Fati, who set the previous record in September 2019 with an assist against Valencia when he was 16 years and 318 days old.

Another great performance 

Aside from his assist, Lamine put in another impressive performance in a Barça shirt. The 16 year old was in the starting XI and played 76 minutes before he was replaced by Ansu Fati. The winger hit the post twice during the game, the second time Robert Lewandowski turned home the rebound for the all important winner in the 4-3 victory. Suffice to say Lamine was key to Barça's win in the Estadio de la Cerámica.