Barcelona continued their positive start to the 2024/25 LaLiga EA Sports season by beating Athletic Club 2-1 at the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys on Saturday evening. The scoring was opened wonderfully for Barcelona by the young Yamal in the 24th minute with a goal that really showcased his talent. The 17-year-old has had a challenging time away from the pitch recently but he was in the zone when he took down the ball following a Barcelona free-kick, shifted to the left to make some space before curling into the bottom corner from distance. Lamine Yamal, centre, scores Barcelona's opening goalJoan MonfortAP His dancing celebration with Alejandro Balde suggested that the Blaugrana could be about to have some fun at Athletic Club's expense, but the team from the Basque Country were not going to roll over that easily. Shortly before the end of the first half, Pau Cubarsi committed a foul in the box and gave Athletic Club a route back into the game. Oihan Sancet stepped up and confidently fired the penalty into the top-right corner and wheeled away in celebration, with the Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys stunned. Lamine Yamal, right, celebrates with Alejandro Balde after scoringJoan MonfortAP Barcelona's pressure tells Barcelona had the better of the second half but both sides were well in the frame to find a winning goal, and that was where the experience and quality of Robert Lewandowski shone through. In the 75th minute, Pedri burst into the box and got on the end of a pass before reaching the byline and playing it into the box where Lewandowski was waiting to smash the ball into the back of the net. The pressure had been building to that point with the Pole having already hit the post earlier in the half, so Barcelona and Hansi Flick felt that the goal was deserved. Having scored twice in the 2-1 win against Valencia on the opening weekend, Lewandowski is now in superb form. The victory takes Barcelona to second in LaLiga EA Sports behind Celta Vigo, but many teams are yet to play their second match. Athletic Club have just one point on the board.
