Yamal double leads Barca to 4-1 thrashing of Girona

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal struck twice in the first half to help deliver a commanding 4-1 win at Girona that extended their perfect start to the LaLiga season with a fifth consecutive win.

Yamal gave Barca a two-goal lead with strikes in the 30th and 37th minutes while Dani Olmo extended their advantage right after the break with a first-time effort from close range.

Pedri scored the fourth with a tap-in in the 64th minute while Girona substitute Cristhian Stuani netted a consolation goal in the 80th, six minutes before Barca were reduced to 10 men when forward Ferran Torres was given a straight red card for a nasty studs-up challenge on Yaser Asprilla.

Hansi Flick’s Barcelona top the LaLiga standings with 15 points, four ahead of Real Madrid and Villarreal. Girona are seventh on seven points. “It was clear for us that we had to start the season well,” Pedri said. “Coach Flick insisted with us about that in the close season, that from the very first moment we had to push hard because that’s how you win leagues, distancing ourselves from our rivals from the start.”