Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal struck the first hat trick of his professional career as his side cruised to a 4-1 victory over Villarreal on Saturday, extending their lead at the summit of La Liga to four points.
Aged just 17 years and 230 days, Yamal became the youngest player ever to register his maiden La Liga hat trick, according to Opta.
Among his three goals was a stunning individual effort in which he skipped past a defender from the right flank before bending a shot into the top corner at the far post.
Substitute Robert Lewandowski wrapped up the scoring with Barcelona’s fourth goal in stoppage time at Camp Nou.
Second-placed Real Madrid welcome Getafe on Monday and can cut Barcelona’s advantage back to one point with a win.
Elsewhere on Saturday, Iñaki Williams rescued a point for Athletic Bilbao in a 1-1 draw away at Rayo Vallecano.
Later in the day, fourth-placed Atletico Madrid travelled to face Real Oviedo, with the opportunity to move level on points with third-placed Villarreal if they secured victory.
Reporting by The Associated Press.
