Lamine Yamal rose to the occasion with a stunning display in Barcelona’s 4-1 victory over FC Copenhagen in the final group stage game of the Champions League last night.
The Blaugrana got off to a terrible start after Copenhagen pounced on Jules Kounde’s miscued pass and took an early lead through Viktor Daoason.
Barca restored parity early in the second half when Dani Olmo threaded in a defence-splitting pass in the path of Yamal, who squared it for Robert Lewandowski. The Polish striker was clinical with his strike.
Yamal put the hosts with a deflected shot before having a hand in the third goal. He found Lewandowski inside the box with a weighted chip, but the striker was brought down.
Raphinha blasted home from the spot to put the Catalan giants in a comfortable position. Marcus Rashford put the game to bed with a stellar free kick.
Coming off a stellar performance against Real Oviedo, where he scored a magnificent bicycle kick, Yamal has now produced back-to-back influential performances.
The Spanish prodigy created three big chances and completed six dribbles. His work rate was impressive again, making seven recoveries and winning eight ground duels.
Yamal has now bagged 12 goals and 13 assists in all competitions this season.
Olmo was solid in midfield, adeptly filling in for the absent Pedri and Frenkie de Jong.
The 27-year-old’s extraordinary vision and passing range unlocked Copenhagen’s defence, creating three big chances and delivering eight passes into the final third.
Centre-backs Pau Cubarsi and Gerard Martin also shone in the victory.
