Barcelona beat Oviedo 3-0 to top La Liga after Real Madrid win, with Lamine Yamal scoring a spectacular volley, while Atletico Madrid defeat Mallorca
BARCELONA reclaimed top spot in La Liga with a 3-0 win over Real Oviedo on Sunday.
The victory, secured by goals from Dani Olmo, Raphinha and a spectacular Lamine Yamal volley, moved the Catalans one point clear of Real Madrid.
Earlier, Atletico Madrid strengthened their hold on third place with a 3-0 victory over Mallorca.
Despite facing the league’s bottom side, Barcelona struggled to break down a resolute Oviedo defence in the first half.
“We have game after game, a lot of travel… and that’s what you also have to see,” said coach Hansi Flick, defending his team’s slow start.
The hosts’ quality eventually told after the break at the partially-reopened Camp Nou.
Olmo opened the scoring after Yamal and Raphinha pressed to win the ball in the box.
Raphinha then capitalised on a poor back-pass to lob home a second goal.
Yamal’s stunning third was an acrobatic sideways scissor-kick from Olmo’s cross.
“We are talking about a player from another galaxy,” said Oviedo coach Guillermo Almada of the 18-year-old.
Flick praised Yamal’s pressing work as more crucial than his spectacular finish.
“For me, much more important was the first goal, how he pressed,” explained the coach.
Atletico Madrid capitalised on Villarreal’s loss with a comfortable home win.
Alexander Sorloth and Thiago Almada scored, either side of a David Lopez own goal.
The result moves Diego Simeone’s side eight points behind Barcelona and three clear of fourth-placed Villarreal.
“We have to be calm and know (Julian Alvarez) is a player who can make the difference,” said Simeone of his striker, who has not scored in nine games.
Elsewhere, Real Betis and Celta Vigo suffered defeats in their pursuit of European football.