Barcelona beat Real Oviedo 3-0 to return to La Liga’s summit, with Lamine Yamal scoring a spectacular acrobatic volley in the victory
BARCELONA returned to the top of La Liga with a 3-0 victory over bottom-placed Real Oviedo at the Camp Nou.
The win moves the Catalans one point clear of Real Madrid, who had briefly taken pole position after their own victory on Saturday.
Hansi Flick’s side struggled to break down a determined Oviedo defence in a goalless first half.
The hosts’ quality eventually told after the break, with Dani Olmo opening the scoring from close range following a loose ball in the box.
Raphinha doubled the lead after pouncing on a poor back-pass from David Costas and lofting the ball over goalkeeper Aaron Escandell.
The standout goal was Lamine Yamal’s third, a spectacular sideways scissor-kick volley from Olmo’s cross.
“I know we didn’t play on our highest level in the first half… but the team has done a fantastic job in the last few weeks, months,” coach Hansi Flick told DAZN.
Flick also praised Yamal for his pressing and celebrated the teenager’s stunning finish.
“It was great… I’m happy that he scored such a (good) goal, and the third goal for us was really important,” added Flick.
Raphinha acknowledged the team’s improved second-half performance after a sluggish start.
“I think we were not at our best in the first half, (but) in the second we could score the goals and that is the most important thing,” said the winger.
Oviedo offered little threat, with Haissem Hassan forcing a save from Joan Garcia in their best first-half chance.
A late downpour sent fans scrambling for cover in the partially reopened stadium, which currently has no roof.
Escandell denied Robert Lewandowski a late fourth goal with a fine save before the final whistle.
