Lamine Yamal makes LaLiga history as Barcelona snatch late point at Granada

Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal became the youngest-ever goalscorer in LaLiga history as his side came from two goals down to salvage a 2-2 draw at Granada.

Yamal, aged 16 years and 87 days, hauled Barca back into the game after they had trailed to Bryan Zaragoza’s first-half double and substitute Sergi Roberto’s late strike rescued them a point.

Granada forward Zaragoza opened the scoring after just 17 seconds – the fastest goal in LaLiga this season – and Xavi’s side missed the chance to close to within a point of leaders Real Madrid.

ACED!#MadeInLaMasia pic.twitter.com/6VyFcCWDad

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 8, 2023

Barca, who made it back-to-back Champions League wins this season with a 1-0 win in Porto on Wednesday night, were stunned by Granada’s lightning start.

The home side had hit back from 3-0 down to draw 3-3 at Almeria last week and after winning possession from Barca’s kick-off, Zaragoza arrowed an angled shot into the bottom corner after running on to Lucas Boye’s pass.

Granada goalkeeper Andre Ferreira denied Joao Felix and Gavi as Barcelona looked to get back on level terms, but the home side struck again with their second attempt on goal.

Gerard Gumbau found Zaragoza in the penalty area and the young forward brilliantly made space before burying his finish into the top corner.

Felix saw another effort saved by Ferreira, but Yamal hauled the visitors back into it in first-half stoppage time, converting into an open goal at the far post.

Barca laid siege on Granada at the start of the second half, with Fermin Lopez volleying straight at Ferreira.

The Granada goalkeeper produced the save of the match to keep out Ferran Torres’ close-range effort in the 69th minute after Ronald Araujo had headed a free-kick back across goal.

Granada continued to frustrate the visitors and with 15 minutes left Yamal was replaced by Oriol Romeu.

FT #GranadaBarça 2-2

A draw in Granada #LALIGAEASPORTS | #ResultsByVisitSaudi pic.twitter.com/LQ4JFWCcqu

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) October 8, 2023

But with time running out, Roberto, a 61st-minute replacement for Lopez, came to their rescue, despatching Alejandro Balde’s cross from in front of goal.

Granada protested there had been a foul during the build-up and almost snatched the lead again when Zaragoza’s shot hit a post.

In a dramatic finish, Felix thought he had won it for Barca only for his effort to be ruled out for offside and Granada held on for a point.