Yamal, Olmo score goals as Barcelona rallies to beat Alaves | Football News

Goalscorers Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo helped Barcelona fight back against Alaves and return to the top of the La Liga table.

Barcelona recovered from an early shock to beat Alaves 3-1 in La Liga on Saturday, with goals from Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo in the first half and a late goal in the second half to seal the win at the Nou Camp.

The victory took last year’s champions top of the standings with 34 points, two points ahead of second-place Real Madrid, who have a game in hand at Bayern on Sunday.

In their second match at the partially renovated Nou Camp after a two-and-a-half-year redevelopment, Barcelona overcame a shaky start amid uncharacteristic scenes of lengthy pre-match ticketing delays that left the stadium half-empty at kick-off.

According to the club, the problems were caused by technical difficulties, which left thousands of fans unable to access their tickets through the club’s mobile app, led to long lines at the fan support office and forced the match to start with empty seats.

Alavés stunned the hosts in the very first minute when Pablo Ibáñez struck from close range. Barcelona defender Marc Bernal misjudged a corner, allowing Ibañez to pounce on the loose ball inside the six-yard box and put it into the net with his first touch.

However, Barcelona hit back just seven minutes later. Alejandro Balde darted down the left flank before feeding Raphinha, who delivered a low cross into the box. 18-year-old Yamal met the ball at the far post and leveled the score at 1-1 with a powerful one-touch finish into the top corner.

Raphinha was again instrumental in the 26th with another assist, this time for Olmo, who expertly headed the ball first-time inside the box as the Blaugrana went forward.

Yamal were inches away from doubling their tally in the 44th minute after receiving a brilliant pass from Robert Lewandowski, but his effort went wide of the goal post.

Alavés almost had the chance to equalize just before the break when Lucas Boye fired wide from range after a sharp counter-attack.

Olmo confirmed Barca’s comeback

Barcelona dominated the second half, with Lewandowski denying Alavés keeper Antonio Civera a superb reflex save in the 56th minute. Boye wasted another chance for the visiting team when he missed wide from inside the box in the 77th minute.

Olmo put the result beyond doubt in extra time, equalizing a one-two with Yamal, whose ball left him free to head home with composure inside the box.

The match also marked the return of 23-year-old midfielder Pedri, who made his first appearance in more than a month following a muscle injury.

He came on in the second half to give Barcelona the much-needed lead ahead of Tuesday’s crucial match against Atletico Madrid.

Sitting fourth in the La Liga standings with 28 points, Diego Simeone’s side have not lost in the league since their opening match in August.

They have a game in hand and host last-place Oviedo later on Saturday, aiming to extend their winning streak to six games in all competitions.