Yamal's initial hat-trick boosts La Liga frontrunners Barcelona to victory against Villarreal
Barcelona's young talent Lamine Yamal notched the first hat-trick of his professional career during a 4-1 victory against Villarreal on Saturday, which positioned the Catalan club four points ahead at the summit of La Liga.
The Spanish forward netted twice before the break, and following Pape Gueye's response for the away side at Camp Nou, he added a third for Hansi Flick's team.
Robert Lewandowski sealed Barcelona's success with a late close-range finish, widening their advantage over Real Madrid, who face Getafe on Monday, while third-placed Villarreal now lag 13 points behind the title holders.
Yamal, appearing to have overcome a groin problem that affected him for weeks earlier in the season and hindered his peak performance, delivered an outstanding display.
"It combined various factors. I felt off form, alongside the groin trouble, so I was not enjoying my play, and it was evident," Yamal shared with Movistar.
"Over the past week, I've sensed a real improvement. That joy of smiling on the pitch, absent for some time, has returned, and now I feel delighted. I'm enjoying the game and truly satisfied."
The wide player became the youngest to achieve a hat-trick in La Liga during the 21st century, at 18 years and 230 days of age.
Yamal has now matched his total of 18 goals from the previous season across all tournaments, establishing himself as the squad's leading scorer and enhancing the one aspect of his play that needed development.
"I believe I've progressed gradually. The expectation at 16 was for me to net 100 goals, which I would love, but it's incredibly challenging," Yamal added, holding the match ball.
"Improvement comes step by step, yet I'm thrilled, whether with one goal or two, to contribute to the team."
Barcelona could have opened the scoring via Jules Kounde initially, but the French defender sliced his effort wide from a promising spot.
Yamal challenged Villarreal's keeper Luiz Junior with a long-range attempt, hinting at the excitement to come.
The hosts went ahead after Fermin Lopez regained possession in an advanced area and passed to Yamal, who bent the ball into the net after 28 minutes.
Nine minutes later, Yamal's second arrived via an exceptional solo effort, starting from the right flank.
The young star outmanoeuvred Sergi Cardona and Alberto Moleiro before curling a shot into the top far corner.
Luiz Junior denied Raphinha's free-kick as Barcelona pushed for more before half-time. Kounde headed in but the goal was ruled out for offside, and Yamal nearly sealed his treble but shot high.
The Yamal spectacle
Dani Olmo squandered a clear opportunity soon after the restart, and Villarreal capitalised by reducing the deficit.
Gueye poked the ball in from near range amid chaos in the penalty area after Barcelona mishandled a corner.
The visitors almost equalised when Joan Garcia rushed out to intercept a through ball ahead of Ayoze Perez in behind the home defence.
The keeper failed to claim it securely, and after Perez retrieved the ball, the forward's effort from distance skimmed just past the post with Garcia exposed.
Yamal curled another attempt narrowly astray from outside the box in pursuit of his maiden hat-trick, which materialised when replacement Pedri delivered a precise pass to him.
The youngster slotted past Luiz Junior with composure and received a standing ovation upon his substitution by Flick moments later.
Lewandowski converted Barcelona's fourth following strong involvement from Pedri and Kounde, who produced one of his strongest outings this term.
Netting at least four times is essential for Barcelona on Wednesday, hosting Atletico Madrid in the Copa del Rey semi-final return fixture, where they must overturn a 4-0 disadvantage.