The teenager opened the scoring on Saturday before the Poland international netted the winner after twice hitting the woodwork
Having opened their La Liga campaign with a win over Valencia, Barcelona will have been acutely aware that, after Real Madrid dropped points on the opening weekend, they had the chance to put further daylight between themselves and their eternal rivals with a victory over Athletic Club on Saturday. Hansi Flick's team did were made to work for it, but they did just that, recording a 2-1 win over last season's Copa del Rey champions.
Lamine Yamal, perhaps unsurprisingly, was the man to open the scoring for Barcelona, as he took aim from the edge of the box and fired in via a deflection off Yeray Alvarez. Robert Lewandowski subsequenly hit the crossbar before, on 40 minutes, Athletic screamed for a penalty after Pau Cubarsi appeared to bring down Alejandro Berenguer. Barcelona actually broke and appealed for a spot-kick of their own, but VAR intervened and the visitors got the initial decision, with. Oihand Sancet converting from 12 yards.
After the break, Lewandowski rattled the woodwork for the second time when he somehow managed to direct a close-ranger header against the post. However, in the 74th minute, he finally got his goal as Alex Padilla parried Pedri's cross into the box and it fell at the feet of the Lewandowski, who lashed the ball home.
From there, Barca were able to see the victory out with a minimum of fuss, and now have two wins from their opening two games under Flick.
GOAL rates Barcelona's players from the Olympic Stadium…
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Marc-Andre ter Stegen (6/10):
Appeared to injure his arm in the first half but played on. Sent the wrong way from the spot-kick but had a real command of his area otherwise.
Jules Kounde (6/10):
Matched up against Williams and could not keep a lid on the dazzling attacker in the first half. Grew into the game, though, and managed to keep the Spain star relatively quiet after the break, contributing to Barca's dominance in the second period.
Pau Cubarsi (5/10):
So assured for his age but he made a clumsy challenge on Berenguer and conceded a penalty late in the first half, from which the visitors levelled. Recovered well, but it was an indicator of his inexperience.
Inigo Martinez (6/10):
So dependable in the air. Some excellent distribution too. An obvious leader in defence.
Alejandro Balde (7/10):
Exceptional in transition, if a little lightweight defensively. Particularly effective down the left in the second half; his engine is remarkable.
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Marc Bernal (6/10):
Tidy on the ball in midfield and adventurous with his dribbling, twice beating the visitors' press with smart feet. It feels pertinent to point out he is still just 17. Subbed late.
Pedri (6/10):
So rarely gives the ball away with his passing, but he couldn't make many inroads into the final third, until his cross was parried in the build-up to Lewandowski's winner.
Raphinha (6/10):
Always willing to run and receive, and showcased some lovely footwork while in the No.10 position. Inconsistent in his passing, though, as he showed he is capable of eye-of-the-needle through-balls as well as passes that completely stunted Barca's momentum.
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Lamine Yamal (7/10):
Barca's resident star boy opened the scoring, firing in from the edge of the box via a deflection. Consistently willing to take on his man, and mucked in defensively too. An all-action display.
Robert Lewandowski (8/10):
Hit the crossbar and the post, and forced a wonderful save from Padilla in Athletic's goal. Did everything he could to score and was finally rewarded in the 74th minute, firing home after the goalkeeper parried Pedri's cross. A brilliant display and, on another day, he walks away with a hat-trick.
Ferran Torres (5/10):
Always willing to go at his full-back and beat him repeatedly. Struggled to convert successful dribbles into shots on goal or crosses into the box, however, with both Yamal and Lewandowski carrying more of a threat. Subbed.
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Fermin Lopez (5/10):
Came on for Torres, but equally as peripheral during his time on the pitch.
Eric Garcia (N/A):
On for Bernal.
Gerard Martin (N/A):
An injury-time introduction.
Pau Victor (N/A):
On for the final minutes.
Hansi Flick (7/10):
Got this one pretty much spot on. Barcelona were largely dominant throughout the game and were only really threatened on the transition with the pace of Williams. With Yamal and Lewandowski firmly up and running, he will be delighted.
