Yamal, Lewa power Barca

Barcelona, August 25

Lamine Yamal got the better of fellow Spain star Nico Williams when Barcelona beat Athletic Bilbao 2-1 in the players’ first matchup since the two young talents led their nation to European Championship glory. Yamal opened the scoring before Robert Lewandowski provided the second goal to give Barcelona two wins in two games in the Spanish league.

The Barca teenager struck in the 24th minute with a curling shot that was reminiscent of Lionel Messi’s favourite moves. The ball found the net after a deflection. Oihan Sancet equalised in the 42nd by converting a penalty. But Barcelona kept up the pressure until Lewandowski re-established the advantage. The Poland striker had already headed off the bar when he was set up by a passing move involving Raphinha and Pedri to score in the 75th.

Real beat Valladolid

Second-half strikes by Federico Valverde, Brahim Diaz and Endrick gave feeble Real Madrid an unconvincing 3-0 win over lowly Real Valladolid, earning the defending champions their first win of the season.

Kylian Mbappe’s home debut as a Real Madrid player is unlikely to live long in the memory as the France captain and most of the club’s so-called “New Galacticos” were ineffective in a lacklustre performance. — Agencies