Lamine Yamal Sets La Liga Record With Hat-Trick In Barcelona Win Over Villarreal

Last Updated:February 28, 2026, 23:37 IST

Lamine Yamal scored his first hat-trick as Barcelona beat Villarreal 4-1, becoming La Liga's youngest hat-trick scorer and propelling Hansi Flick's team four points clear.

Barcelona’s teenage sensation, Lamine Yamal, scored his first career hat-trick in a 4-1 victory over Villarreal on Saturday, propelling the Catalan giants four points clear at the top of La Liga.

The Spanish international netted twice in the first half. After Pape Gueye scored for Villarreal at Camp Nou, Yamal completed his hat-trick for Hansi Flick’s team. Robert Lewandowski sealed Barca’s triumph with a late tap-in, extending their lead over Real Madrid, who are set to host Getafe on Monday, and third-place Villarreal, who now trail the champions by 13 points.

Yamal, who had previously struggled with a groin issue, seemed to have fully recovered and delivered an outstanding performance. “It was a mix of everything. I wasn’t feeling good about myself, plus the groin issue, so I wasn’t playing happily, and I think it showed," Yamal told Movistar. “For about a week now, I’ve been feeling much better. It was that desire to smile while playing that I hadn’t felt for a long time, and now I’m happy. I’m happy playing and really content."

The winger became the youngest player to score a hat-trick in La Liga in the 21st century at 18 years and 230 days old. Yamal has now matched his tally of 18 goals from last season across all competitions, becoming the team’s top scorer and improving the one area of his game that needed enhancement.

“I think I’ve improved over time. People expect me at 16 years old to score 100 goals, and I’d like that too, but it’s very hard," Yamal continued, with the match ball under his arm. “So I’m improving bit by bit, but I’m very happy to help the team, whether it’s with one goal or two."

Barcelona might have taken the lead early on through Jules Kounde, but the French defender missed his shot. Yamal tested Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior from distance, hinting at what was to come.

Barca took the lead when Fermin Lopez won the ball high up the pitch and fed Yamal, who curled home after 28 minutes. Yamal’s second goal came nine minutes later, a stunning individual effort as he cut in from the right, leaving Sergi Cardona and Alberto Moleiro behind and striking into the far top corner.

Luiz Junior saved a free-kick from Raphinha as Barca sought a third before the break. Kounde flicked home but was offside, and Yamal had a chance to complete his hat-trick but fired over.

Dani Olmo missed a good chance early in the second half, and Villarreal soon capitalised as Gueye scored from close range after a scramble in the box. Villarreal almost had a second when Joan Garcia missed a clearance and Ayoze Perez fired just wide.

Yamal came close to his first treble with a shot from the edge of the box, which eventually came after substitute Pedri provided an inch-perfect pass. The teenager beat Luiz Junior with a clinical finish and received an ovation when Flick substituted him shortly after.

Lewandowski added Barca’s fourth goal after good play from Pedri and Kounde, who had one of his best games of the season.

Scoring four goals will be crucial for Barca again on Wednesday when they host Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg, aiming to overturn a 4-0 deficit.

(With AFP Inputs)

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