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February 12, 2024

Barcelona 3-3 Granada: Yamal’s Late Brace Earns Draw in Thrilling Encounter – La Liga 

In a surprising turn of events at Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona and Granada performed an exhilarating 3-3 draw on Sunday evening. Fans certainly didn’t expect such a high-scoring game. Still, Lamine Yamal’s late equalizer salvaged a point for Barcelona, alongside a goal from Robert Lewandowski.

The match greatly affected Barcelona’s hopes of defending their La Liga title. Yamal opened the scoring in the first half, but Ricard Sanchez equalized just before the break.

A frantic six minutes followed, with Granada taking the lead through Facundo Pellistri, who capitalized on a defensive lapse. Lewandowski responded immediately to level the score, but Ignasi Miquel soon restored Granada’s advantage with a powerful header that Marc-André ter Stegen could not stop.

Yamal’s second goal brought Barcelona back into the match late on. Still, the draw leaves Xavi’s team ten points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid, complicating their title defense.

Barcelona broke the deadlock when 16-year-old Lamine Yamal found space at the back post, tapping Joao Cancelo’s cross into an unguarded net. Shortly after, a slick exchange between Pedri and Ilkay Gundogan set up Lewandowski, whose first-time shot was cleared off the line by Martin Hongla.

Granada responded swiftly, with Facundo Pellistri racing past Cancelo and pulling back a cross for Ricard Sanchez, who fired it into the roof of the net just before the half. Both teams had chances early on; Lewandowski missed a tight-angle shot while Pellistri forced a save from Marc-André ter Stegen.

The match turned wild when Pellistri scored from close range after a well-placed cross from Myrto Uzuni. Barcelona quickly answered back, with Gundogan assisting Lewandowski with a low shot into the net from the edge of the box. However, Granada regained the lead when Ignasi Miquel’s powerful header hit the post and crossed the line, despite Ter Stegen’s attempt to save it.

Yamal sparked hope for Barcelona’s comeback with a stunning low shot from 25 yards into the bottom corner. Still, it only secured a point for the hosts in a thrilling contest.

Talking Point – Barcelona’s Title Hopes Fade

Barcelona’s draw against 19th-place Granada has all but extinguished their hopes of catching a formidable Real Madrid side, leaving them now 10 points adrift. Initially trailed by seven points, the draw has made their task even more daunting in defending their title. While a turnaround isn’t impossible, it would require extraordinary efforts from Barcelona, catastrophic missteps from Madrid, and a crucial victory at the Bernabéu in April.

Player of the Match – Lamine Yamal (Barcelona)

In a lackluster performance from Barcelona, 16-year-old Lamine Yamal shone brightly. His two goals were the match’s highlights, providing a glimmer of hope for a team needing inspiration. 

Despite disappointing the draw, Yamal’s contributions were noteworthy, proving he is ready to take on more significant challenges. With his standout performance, he embodies the potential for Barcelona’s future amidst a turbulent season.

Match Ratings

Barcelona: Ter Stegen 5, Kounde 6, Cubarsi 6, Martinez 6, Cancelo 6, De Jong 6, Christensen 6, Gundogan 7, Yamal 9, Lewandowski 8, Pedri 7

Subs: Lopez 6, Casado, Victor, Raphinha 6, Guiu N/A

Granada: Batella 5, Sanchez 7, Rubio 5, Miquel 7, Hongla 6, Maouassa 7, Pellistri 8, Gumbau 7, Ruiz 7, Melando 6, Uzuni 6

Subs: Torrente N/A, Callejon 6, Arezo N/A, Jozwiak N/A

Match Highlights

15′ – GOAL! BARCELONA 1-0 GRANADA (YAMAL): De Jong and Cancelo link up. De Jong delivers a perfect cross for Yamal to poke home at the back post.

41′ – OFF THE LINE! Pedri sets up Lewandowski, but Hongla clears his shot off the line. Barcelona misses a chance to extend their lead.

43′ – GOAL! BARCELONA 1-1 GRANADA (SANCHEZ): Pellistri races past Cancelo and cuts back for Sanchez, who scores with a forceful shot into the net’s roof.

53’ – CHANCE FOR LEWANDOWSKI! Lewandowski skews a tight-angle shot high and wide, much to his disappointment.

60′ – GOAL! BARCELONA 1-2 GRANADA (PELLESTRI): Uzuni finds Pellistri, who slams the ball into an empty net from close range, turning the match on its head.

63′ – GOAL! BARCELONA 2-2 GRANADA (LEWANDOWSKI): Cancelo’s dinky ball finds Gundogan, who sets up Lewandowski to drill a low shot into the net.

66′ – GOAL! BARCELONA 2-3 GRANADA (MIQUEL): Miquel powers a header past Ter Stegen from a Maouassa cross, restoring Granada’s lead.

79′ – BARCA HAS THE BALL IN THE NET! Lopez scores but is ruled offside after following up Martinez’s header.

81′ – GOAL! BARCELONA 3-3 GRANADA (YAMAL): Yamal curls a stunning 25-yard shot into the bottom corner to equalize for Barcelona!

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