Lamine Yamal scored the first hat-trick of his career as Barcelona beat visitors Villarreal 4-1 in LaLiga on Saturday to move four points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the standings.
Barcelona have 64 points while second-placed Real are on 60 points ahead of their home game against Getafe on Monday. Villarreal remain a distant third on 51.
It was a pulsating, finely balanced encounter in which the scoreline failed to reflect the drama.
Villarreal created a number of chances and repeatedly exposed Barcelona’s defensive line, but were punished by an 18-year-old in devastating form.
Yamal put the hosts ahead in the 28th minute after Fermin Lopez robbed Pape Gueye and slipped a pass down the right for the teenager to finish low inside the left post.
He doubled the lead nine minutes later with a dazzling solo run, controlling a long ball on the right wing before
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