BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Teenager Lamine Yamal scored a second-half goal to give Barcelona a 1-0 home victory over Mallorca on Friday, lifting the defending Spanish league champions into second place.
Yamal scored in the 73rd minute with a superb shot from inside the area, saving Barcelona from a lackluster draw for the second straight game.
It was 16-year-old Yamal's sixth goal in all competitions in his first full season at Barcelona. He set several milestones at a young age, including becoming the youngest player to debut in the Spanish league, scoring for the Spanish national team and starting in the Champions League.
Barcelona opened up a two-point lead over Girona before hosting Osasuna on Saturday. Leaders Real Madrid are five points behind Barcelona before hosting Celta Vigo on Sunday.
Another standout player for Barcelona was 17-year-old centre-back Pau Curbasi, who once again showed great ability in defense and passing.
Mallorca goalkeeper Predrag Rajković kept the game close. In the first half, Rafinha saved a penalty taken by Ilkay Gundogan after being fouled by Jose Copete inside the area. Rajković also took a slight touch on Yamal's shot early in the second half and pushed it over the bar.
Raphinha ended up being substituted in the first half, but apparently Kopete was penalized for hitting his leg.
Barcelona were without first-choice midfielders Pedri González and Frenkie de Jong, who were injured in the previous match's goalless draw with Athletic Bilbao.
Manager Xavi Hernández kept Robert Lewadowski on the bench until the final 30 minutes and rested him ahead of Tuesday's Champions League match against Napoli for a place in the quarter-finals. The first match in Italy ended 1-1.
Mallorca, who will face Athletic Bilbao in next month's Copa del Rey final, remain in 15th place.
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