Barcelona player ratings vs Athletic Club: Lamine Yamal is special! Teenager's moment of magic keeps blunt Blaugrana four points clear in La Liga title race

Lamine Yamal scored a brilliant goal as Barcelona beat Athletic Club 1-0 on Saturday to maintain their four-point advantage at the top of La Liga. Hansi Flick's side were blunted by their well-organised hosts in Bilbao, but Yamal's moment of magic was enough to give the Blaugrana a vital victory.

Athletic were dealt a bitter blow just nine minutes in, as Unai Gomez fell awkwardly and appeared to twist his knee, leading to him being helped from the pitch and replaced.

The first half was disrupted by issues of injuries and collisions, with more time dedicated to treatment than goalmouth action. On the stroke of half-time, however, Inaki Williams did have the ball in the net, though he was clearly offside.

Before the hour mark, Pau Cubarsi was lucky to avoid being sent off as he brought Williams down while last man. The referee gave the Barcelona defender a yellow card instead of a red, and VAR bafflingly opted against intervening to recommend a dismissal.

Minutes later, Hansi Flick rolled the dice, as Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and Fermin Lopez all came on as Barca went in search of a late winner. But it was almost inevitably Yamal who answered the call, cutting in off the right, controlling brilliantly, and finishing with perfect technique, drawing gasps from even the home fans.

Athletic pushed for an equaliser but were unable to break Barca down, as Flick's side recorded a major victory in the title race.

GOAL rates Barca's players from San Mames...

Goalkeeper & Defence

Joan Garcia (6/10):

In command throughout and was never properly tested.

Eric Garcia (6/10):

Gave as good as he got down the right side, even if he was dribbled past more than once. Has an air of authority and organised well.

Pau Cubarsi (5/10):

Booked for a late challenge on Williams as the forward ran through on goal. It was surely a denial of a goal-scoring opportunity, but VAR chose not to intervene. A lucky, lucky boy.

Gerard Martin (7/10):

Strong. Comfortably Barca's most assured defender.

Joao Cancelo (7/10):

Almost scored an embarrassing own goal in the opening 30 seconds. Got forward well and enjoyed his battle with Berenguer.

Midfield

Marc Casado (7/10):

Always looking to take the ball and move it forward. Ran himself into the ground, and was subbed with 13 minutes remaining as Flick shored things up.

Marc Bernal (4/10):

Struggled to keep up with the rhythm of the game in the first half and was dispossessed more than once. Subbed for Pedri at half-time.

Dani Olmo (6/10):

Always looking to open Athletic up, but struggled to find a way through. Never gave up the ghost but was subbed on the hour.

Attack

Lamine Yamal (9/10):

Got on the ball when he could before scoring an absolute stunner on 67 minutes, cutting inside, and letting fly with perfect technique. The ball kissed the post on its way in; a genuine work of art, and one that won Barca the game. He's unbelievable.

Ferran Torres (4/10):

Starved of service before being subbed for Lewandowski on the hour.

Marcus Rashford (5/10):

Always willing to run at his defender and did so whenever the ball came his way, to little end, unfortunately. Subbed.

Subs & Manager

Pedri (7/10):

On at half-time. Slotted into midfield, assisting Yamal's goal. Barcelona look so much more comfortable when he plays.

Raphinha (6/10):

On for Olmo. Didn't get much of the ball.

Robert Lewandowski (5/10):

Replaced Ferran up front. Barely had a sniff.

Fermin Lopez (5/10):

On as part of the triple-change but had a minimal impact.

Ronald Araujo (N/A):

On for Casado and shored it up.

Hansi Flick (6/10):

The first XI did not have anywhere near enough to get this done, especially in midfield, but his changes worked, and Yamal is always capable of magic. A major banana skin avoided - just.