Barcelona found their decisive edge in Istanbul through Lamine Yamal, whose invention from the right flank helped shape a 3-1 win over Galatasaray and left defender Eren Elmali chasing a moment he could not read.
Yamal unlocks the match in Istanbul
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Barcelona’s second goal began with Yamal’s delivery into the box. The winger floated a precise cross for Fermín, who headed home to make it 2-1.
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Yamal then created another clear opening for Gordon, putting him through with the goal unguarded, but the chance was missed.
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The Barcelona No. 10 still had a decisive final contribution. Driving towards the byline on the right, he appeared ready to attempt a rabona before stopping the movement and wrong-footing Elmali.
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Elmali’s attempted intervention left the ball loose near the touchline, allowing Yamal to square for Gordon. The finish was driven inside the near post for Barcelona’s third goal.
For Elmali, it was another difficult encounter with the Spanish teenager. Yamal had already caused him major problems when Spain beat Turkey 6-0 in Konya a little more than a year earlier.
In Istanbul, however, the cost was immediate: Yamal produced two assists in Barcelona’s 3-1 victory, turning individual brilliance into a result that carries weight across a European week.
