They had to work hard for it, but FC Barcelona remain four points clear at the top of the Liga table. Athletic Club put up a mighty fight this Saturday, and probably had more chances than the blaugrana, but the sides were ultimately split by yet another piece of magic from the wizard that is Lamine Yamal.

His second half goal was as stunning a goal as any that we have seen from him, and much as the bilbainos pushed and pushed to find a reply, they couldn’t find it and the game ended 1-0.

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HIGHLIGHTS | Athletic Club v FC Barcelona

Under pressure

It quickly became a frustrating game for Barça, for although they were clearly dominating the possession, it was the Basques who were getting the bigger chances.

João Cancelo hit his own bar within the first minute, almost scoring an own goal, Robert Navarro and Iñaki Williams both scuffed easyish chances and the latter did find the net only for the goal to be scratched for offside.

Joan Garcia was one of the busiest men on the pitch, but in a high-octane encounter, Barça were also keeping Unai Simón and his defence on their toes. Cancelo and Marcus Rashford were especially active, and Ferran Torres very nearly scored with the most audacious backheel.

But the clock kept ticking and the game felt even more open wide open that it was when it started.

No chance to rest

Barça had beaten Athletic 4-0 and 5-0 already this season, but this game was turning out to be very different. “Athletic are a very different side at San Mamés” said Hansi Flick on Friday. And he was right.

The coach had hoped to rest the likes of Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, Fermín López and Raphinha with the midweek trip to Newcastle in mind, but their services were going to be needed. And with things as they were, there was no chance of Lamine Yamal coming off early…

Lamine at last

It had been a quiet game by Lamine’s standards, but there was nothing quiet about what he did on 68 minutes. A perfect assist from Pedri and the teenage sensation curled a perfect strike goalward. His majestic finish bounded in off the inside of the far post. Unstoppable.

That goal was a thing of beauty and Barça were at last ahead in a very awkward match.

But it was anything but job done. Athletic had thrown everything into this game and weren’t going down without a fight. The remainder of the match was almost entirely about Athletic pushing forward in search of an equaliser and on numerous occasions they could have had it.

Tyneside Tuesday

But Barça stood their ground and are bringing home three extremely hard-earned points that mean they hold onto their strong Liga position for another week.

Next up in the league it’s Sevilla at Spotify Camp Nou. That’s a Sunday 9pm start. But before that, it’s St James' Park on Tuesday.

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