Play store
Lamine Yamal surpassed Kylian Mbappe’s record for most Champions League goals scored before turning 20 as Barcelona defeated Aston Villa 3-0 in a league-phase match at Camp Nou on Tuesday night.
Yamal opened the scoring early before Brazilian forward Raphinha struck twice in the second half to end Villa’s winning streak and help the Catalan giants return to winning ways.
Barcelona had suffered a defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in their previous Champions League outing but bounced back strongly with an impressive performance under coach Hansi Flick.
Playing in rainy conditions at Camp Nou, Barcelona dominated possession and attacking play from the start.
The hosts took the lead through a defensive mistake by Villa. A misplaced pass from Joao Gomes while attempting to play the ball out from the back was intercepted by Yamal, who controlled it inside the box before firing a precise left-footed shot into the net.
The goal took Yamal’s Champions League tally to 14 before his 20th birthday, surpassing Mbappe’s previous record of 13.
The 19-year-old had equalled the French forward’s record with a goal against PSG last week before moving ahead of him with Tuesday’s strike.
Villa attempted to fight back in the first half, with Matty Cash and Joao Gomes creating opportunities, but their efforts failed to produce an equaliser. Barcelona also threatened through Anthony Gordon, whose attempt was denied by Villa goalkeeper Zion Suzuki.
Barcelona increased their advantage seven minutes after the restart when Raphinha’s low shot took a deflection off the Villa defence and found the net in the 52nd minute.
The Brazilian completed his brace in the 64th minute, finishing from close range after Joao Cancelo delivered an excellent outside-foot cross from the left following a move involving Fermin Lopez.
The double took Raphinha’s tally to 19 goals in all competitions this season and 23 in the Champions League for Barcelona.
Yamal had another opportunity to extend the lead late in the match, but his effort went wide.
Barcelona eventually secured a comfortable 3-0 victory, taking their points tally to nine from four matches with three wins and moving up to second place in the Champions League league-phase standings.
