Yamal goalkeeper are the champions, four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the La Liga table.
Published on 7 March 2026
Lamin Yamal once again showed his ability to decide the game as the Barcelona teenager broke the deadlock with a gorgeous strike to earn a 1-0 win at Athletic Bilbao.
Saturday’s game was wide open, with Athletic attacking in waves at their San Mames stadium before Yamal tilted the match in favor of the La Liga leaders.
Recommended stories
List of 3 itemsEnd of list
The 18-year-old Spain forward received a pass from Pedri Gonzalez that eventually left him with some space to work on the right side of the area, where he used a touch to open up a shooting angle before curling a left-footed shot at the top of the far post.
The 68th-minute winner – his 19th goal in all competitions this season – moved Hansi Flick’s side four points clear of second-placed Real Madrid and on course to successfully defend their domestic title.
Last weekend, Yamal scored his first hat-trick in a 4-1 La Liga win over Villarreal.
Saturday’s hard-fought win at the Basque club came four days after Barcelona lost to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
Flick rested some of his usual starters ahead of Barcelona’s trip to Newcastle on Tuesday to start their Champions League round-of-16 tie. Pedri, Rafinha and Firmin Lopez remained on the bench for the final half hour. Marcus Rashford, Marc Bernal and Marc Casada started in his place.
Eric Garcia and Joao Cancelo also started for injured full-backs Jules Kaunde and Alejandro Balde.
Athletic created good chances but were repeatedly denied by keeper Joan Garcia, who produced a string of fine saves to keep the visitors level and underline their growing importance this season.
Flick introduced Rafinha, Pedri and Robert Lewandowski through the second half, and the breakthrough came in the 68th minute.
Pedri released Yamal inside the box running down the right channel and the 18-year-old curled a left-footed shot into the top corner to silence the home crowd.
Barcelona lead the table with 67 points, while Athletic are ninth with 35 points.
(tags to translate)news
