Under the lights in Istanbul, Lamine Yamal turned a tight moment by the byline into another reminder of his rare instinct. Barcelona’s 4-1 Champions League win over Galatasaray on Tuesday featured two decisive assists from the 19-year-old, including one created by an audacious improvised feint.
Yamal unlocks Galatasaray twice
Barcelona were leading 2-1 when Yamal first supplied Fermin Lopez in the 50th minute. Operating just outside the penalty area on the right, the Spanish winger lifted a delicate, curling cross into the danger zone.
Fermin Lopez arrived in front of goal to head the ball home, extending Barcelona’s advantage.
- 50th minute: Yamal delivered a floated cross from the right.
- Fermin Lopez met it with a header to make it 2-1.
- Three minutes later, Yamal created Barcelona’s third goal.
An improvised move by the goal line
The second assist came in the 53rd minute, near the right-hand goal line. Faced by Galatasaray defender Eren Elmali, Yamal shaped as though he would attempt a rabona-style cross before cutting inside instead.
A favourable rebound helped the Barcelona player retain possession, but he kept the ball under control and found Anthony Gordon with the outside of his foot. The English forward finished at the near post for 3-1.
Yamal described the move as an instinctive decision rather than a rehearsed trick.
“In the end it worked,” he said after the match. “I would call it an almost-rabona. I don’t know, it just came to me in that moment. It worked well and ended with an assist for Gordon.”
Barcelona take a 4-1 win
Yamal’s two assists helped Barcelona move clear in a 4-1 victory away to Galatasaray. His first created a headed finish for Fermin Lopez, while his second followed a piece of close control that left Elmali beaten beside the byline before Gordon converted.
