Yamal’s goal means the champions remain four points behind La Liga leaders Real Madrid.
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Published March 7, 2026
Lamine Yamal once again showed his ability to decide matches as the Barcelona teenager broke the deadlock with a brilliant strike to earn a 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao.
Saturday’s game was a big one, with Yamal tilting the game in favor of the La Liga leaders after Athletic launched a flurry of attacks at the San Mamés Stadium.
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The 18-year-old Spanish forward received a pass from Pedri González and eventually left room to work on the right side of the area, opening up a shooting angle with one touch and curling his left foot into the top of the post.
The winning goal in the 68th minute – his 19th goal in all competitions this season – kept coach Hansi Flick’s side four points behind second-placed Real Madrid and on track to defend their domestic title.
Last weekend, Yamal scored his first hat-trick in La Liga’s 4-1 win over Villarreal.
Saturday’s hard-fought victory away at the Basque club came four days after Barcelona lost to Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-finals.
Flick rested part of his regular starting XI ahead of Barcelona’s trip to Newcastle to start their Champions League round of 16 match on Tuesday. Pedri, Rafinha and Fermin López remained on the bench until the final 30 minutes. Marcus Rashford, Marc Bernal and Marc Casada started in their place.
Eric Garcia and Joao Cancelo also started in place of injured full-backs Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde.
Athletic created chances but were repeatedly denied by keeper João Garcia. Garcia made a series of fine saves to keep the visitors level, underscoring his growing importance this season.
Coach Flick brought on Rafinha, Pedri and Robert Lewandowski midway through the second half, and the breakthrough came in the 68th minute.
Pedri fired Yamal into the box as he ran in from the right channel and the 18-year-old silenced the home crowd with a left-footed shot into the top corner.
Barcelona lead the table with 67 points, while Athletic are ninth with 35 points.
