A flash of genius from the left boot
Mestalla is rarely a friendly place to go. But Barcelona settled the issue in no time this afternoon, and the move that broke the deadlock had Lamine Yamal’s name written all over it.
It started with a superb pass from Fermin Lopez. Yamal found himself wide on the right edge of the box, in the sort of position where most wingers look to square it or pull it back. He went for the chip instead. Left-footed outside of the boot, curled perfectly, and Stole Dimitrievski was beaten before he’d even got his dive going.
Three minutes later, the Catalan winger thought he’d doubled up. The goal was ruled out for offside. The damage was already done: Valencia were being torn apart.
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The fixture list handed Barca a helping hand
The bigger picture only sharpens when you look at the week as a whole. On Friday, Real Madrid lost in Seville against Betis (0-1). Barcelona arrived in Valencia knowing a win would move them three points clear of their direct title rivals.
It’s exactly the sort of chance Hansi Flick’s side have learned not to waste. Barca’s start to the season has been spotless so far, and this five-goal away win in a notoriously tricky stadium says plenty about the gap they have built.
Valencia, meanwhile, looked all at sea from the opening minutes. Yamal’s chip was not a rare moment of quality in a tight contest; it was the first sign that one side had brought control and the other had barely turned up.
Yamal keeps adding to his growing reputation
The La Masia wonderkid does not need to prove himself any more. What stands out now is the manner of the finish. A lob from the outside of the weaker foot at a tight angle is not the work of a mere scorer. It is the finish of a player who sees the box differently from everyone else.
Hansi Flick had played down concerns over his fitness late in the week. The answer came on the pitch inside the opening 20 minutes, against an opponent who knew exactly what was coming and still could not stop him.
Barca leave Mestalla with five goals and a clean sheet. And La Liga has just tilted a little further in their favour.
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