da casino： The 16-year-old winger netted twice as Xavi's side played out a six-goal thriller in Catalunya on Sunday
da bet7： Lamine Yamal may only be 16, but Barcelona don't have a more impactful player at their disposal. He proved as such against Granada on Sunday, as the homegrown winger turned in his best performance in a Barca shirt, scoring twice to save his side's miserable defending in a chaotic 3-3 draw.
Yamal scored a deserved opener for Barca, capping off a fluid attacking move, with Joao Cancelo providing a delicate curled assist. Robert Lewandowski should have doubled the Blaugrana's advantage, too, but saw his close-range effort acrobatically turned off the line. And Granada capitalised, as Ricard Sanchez equalised on the stroke of half-time, beating Marc-Andre ter Stegen at the near post with a driven strike.
After the break, the Barca defence collapsed, as Facundo Pellistri sneaked in at the far post to finish into an empty net. Xavi's attack responded immediately, though, as Lewandowski smashed home from Ilkay Gundogan's nifty pass. But Granada continued the chaos, adding a third of their own thanks to Ignasi Miquel's bullet header.
Yamal, however, provided a memorable leveler – and his biggest goal in Barca shirt to date – as whipped an effort in at the near post from outside the box. The home side pushed for a winner, but a wayward header from substitute Marc Guiu was as close as they got.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Olympic Stadium…
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defence
Marc-Andre ter Stegen (5/10):
A welcome return to the XI, after Barca conceded 32 goals without him. The reigning La Liga MVP was sloppy with his feet at times, but made a couple of neat saves. He couldn't really do anything about any of the goals, either.
Jules Kounde (5/10):
A mixed bag defensively, and poor in the final third when called on for creativity in the second half. Still unclear where he fits into the Barca back four.
Pau Cubarsi (4/10):
Made a very poor error to hand Granada their second goal. He has a long way to go, but will only improve.
Inigo Martinez (5/10):
Pinged it around from central defence, and won most of his duels. Could have covered the near-post run more effectively on Sanchez's goal.
Joao Cancelo (5/10):
Created the opening goal with a lovely ball to the far post. Lazy on the Granada leveller, though – the ball crept past him far too easily. Rightfully subbed in the second half.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Andreas Christensen (5/10):
Another solid, if unspectacular, performance in a defensive midfield role. Replaced when Barca needed a bit more creative thrust.
Frenkie de Jong (7/10):
On the ball a lot, and kept it moving effectively. Played more passes into the final third than anyone else on the pitch.
Pedri (6/10):
The best and worst of him was on display. Some of his setup work proved crucial, but his defensive issues were far too easily exploited.
Ilkay Gundogan (7/10):
Provided his 10th assist in all competitions with a lovely touch into Lewandowski's path. Dictated things effectively in the final third. Barca could do with him getting on the ball more.
Getty ImagesAttack
Robert Lewandowski (7/10):
A bit more involved than in recent weeks. Had an effort cleared off the line, and took his goal wonderfully. Perhaps Vitor Roque's form has forced a response.
Lamine Yamal (9/10):
Continued his impressive run with another dazzling showing. Took his first goal well, but his second was even better. Scared the Granada backline throughout. The kid is more than alright.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Fermin Lopez (6/10):
Full of legs in midfield, and offered some valuable attacking impetus.
Raphinha (5/10):
Didn't really look fit on his return from a lay-off.
Marc Guiu (5/10):
Tasked with being a hero late on, but missed a good chance.
Xavi (4/10):
Stuck to his preferred system, and Barca were in total control for the first 40 minutes. It got messy thereafter, his defence crumbling to allow the second-worst side in La Liga to run riot. Spared by a teenage sensation.