Napoli subsequent up in Champions League
BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Teenager Lamine Yamal curled in a second-half intention to seize Barcelona a 1-0 win over Mallorca at domestic on Friday, lifting the defending Spanish league champions into 2d place.
Yamal’s fantastic shot from simply internal the nook of the vicinity for the 73rd-minute aim salvaged an in any other case lackluster Barcelona from a 2d straight draw.
It used to be the 16-year-old Yamal’s sixth purpose throughout all competitions in his first full season with Barcelona. He’s set quite a few milestones for his younger age, such as the youngest participant to debut and to rating in the Spanish league, to rating for Spain, and to begin in the Champions League.
“I used to be attempting to hold their left again occupied, however given that they gave the house I went for my shot,” Yamal stated about his goal. “Now we have to suppose about the Champions League, the place we face one of the most vital video games of the season.”
Coach Xavi Hernández stored Robert Lewadowski on the bench till the last half of hour, resting him earlier than Tuesday’s Champions League suit towards Napoli to see which advances to the quarterfinals. Their first sport in Italy ended 1-1.
Barcelona moved two factors in advance of Girona earlier than it hosts Osasuna on Saturday. Leader Real Madrid is five factors clear of Barcelona earlier than internet hosting Celta Vigo on Sunday.
The different standout participant for Barcelona used to be 17-year-old core returned Pau Curbasí, who excelled once more with his defending and passing.
Mallorca goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic stored the recreation close. He saved a penalty taken by using Ilkay Gundogan in the first 1/2 after Raphinha was once fouled in the place via José Copete. Rajkovic additionally obtained simply ample of a contact of a Yamal shot to push it onto his bar early in the 2d half.
Raphinha would subsequently want to be substituted in the first half, curiously for the knock to his leg via Copete that was once penalized.
Xavi stated Raphinha did no longer show up to be significantly injured and he predicted him to be accurate to go in opposition to Napoli.
Barcelona was once besides first-choice midfielders Pedri González and Frenkie de Jong after they had been injured in the preceding round’s scoreless draw at Athletic Bilbao.
Mallorca, which will play Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey closing subsequent month, used to be left in fifteenth place.