When Barcelona plays Granada, Yamal comes to the rescue, while Atletico Madrid falters

Barcelona’s 16-year-old sensation, Lamine Yamal, scored twice on Sunday to help the struggling Catalans escape a 3-3 draw with Granada in La Liga.

After a fierce match at the Olympic Stadium, Xavi Hernandez’s squad, which is presently third in the league rankings, had to settle for a sharing of points against their relegation-threatened opponents, who are in 19th position.They now trail Real Madrid, the team leading the league, by ten points, however.
Real Madrid increased their advantage at the top to five points on Saturday after beating Girona, which is now in second place, 4-0. This move demonstrated their supremacy in the championship battle.
Atletico Madrid’s hopes of challenging for the La Liga championship were further dashed on Sunday as they lost 1-0 to Sevilla.
Barcelona took the lead with goals from youthful phenom Yamal, but Granada responded through goals from Ricard Sanchez and Manchester United loanee Facundo Pellistri.
After Robert Lewandowski gave Barcelona the lead again, Ignasi Miquel gave Granada the lead once more before Yamal scored another goal with an incredible long-range attempt.

Yamal told Movistar, “It wasn’t to be, it’s another lost opportunity, but we have to keep working.” “I’ve got the trust of the coach but right now I’m thinking more about the draw and that we dropped two points than in my performance.”
That was the kind of Barcelona performance that perfectly captured Xavi’s decision to leave the team at the end of the season, since he is certain that the team has to take a different turn.
“We missed numerous opportunities and goals,” Xavi said to Movistar. “The team had faith, desire and courage like always, but it wasn’t enough and now (winning La Liga) is even harder for us.”
From the right flank, Yamal lit up the encounter, giving the defending champs a rare glimmer of hope on yet another difficult night.

Just 14 minutes into the match, Joao Cancelo made a neat spin in the penalty area and sent a luring cross that Yamal was able to slide home at the far post.
The youthful winger had already made history in October during a 2-2 draw between the two sides, when he scored the goal against Granada, becoming La Liga’s youngest-ever scorer.
Before the half, Barcelona had a fantastic chance to expand their advantage, but Martin Hongla blocked Lewandowski’s attempt with a goal-line clearing.
The Catalans were punished almost immediately, as Marc-Andre ter Stegen had little opportunity to stop Sanchez’s lash into the top corner after Pellistri’s cross found him. The German goalie showed obvious rustiness despite playing for the first time since November due to a back ailment, although he wasn’t at fault for the goal.
Barcelona has already let up 31 goals in 24 La Liga games this season, a sharp contrast to their eight goals given up at the same point last year.
Following a defensive blunder by Pau Cubarsi, Pellistri put Granada ahead, which opened the door for Uzuni.
But Barcelona quickly leveled things up as Lewandowski scored his 10th La Liga goal with ease after Gundogan set him up.
The home crowd was expecting a thrilling comeback win, but Granada—who had not lost to Barcelona in five games—had other ideas.
Faitout Maouassa’s cross was met by Miquel’s header, giving Alexanda Medina’s team the lead once again.
Yamal’s shot at the near post found the back of the goal, restoring parity, although it required an incredible effort from him outside the box.
Sevilla, who won their second straight game this season and moved up to 15th position, four points clear of the relegation zone, defeated Atletico Madrid in the meanwhile.
After 15 minutes, Isaac Romero left for Sevilla, moving Atletico Madrid down to fourth place and 13 points behind league leaders Real Madrid. Atletico has a tough road ahead of them as their ambitions of winning trophies are now focused on the Champions League.
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak of Atletico Madrid told DAZN, “We’ve lost a lot of points, so many, and games away from home — it’s something that can’t happen if you want to fight for La Liga.”
“It’s the truth, we have to be honest … we’re a long way off Real Madrid.”
Diego Simeone, the Atletico coach, did not show concern at his team’s defeat.
“I’d be worried if we weren’t playing like we were — I’m proud of what the players are doing and convinced the goals will come,” he said.
Simeone expressed the hope that Atletico Madrid’s Alvaro Morata’s knee injury was “as minor as possible” after the striker was carried off the field.