History was made at the Camp Nou as 15-year-old Lamine Yamal made his debut for FC Barcelona, who thrashed Real Betis on Saturday night.
LaLiga
Result: FC Barcelona 4-0 Real Betis
Date: 29 April 2023
Venue: Camp Nou
Blaugrana coach Xavi Hernandez recalled Andreas Christensen and Sergio Busquets after the defeat to Rayo Vallecano, while Ousmane Dembele was named in the squad for the first time since January.
Christensen was brought in to stabilise the defence but he made an impact on the offensive end after opening the scoring in the 13th minute by nodding home a free-kick from Raphinha.
The Danish defender was quite busy in the first half as he was called upon to produce a vital block in the box to demy Luis Hernique, as the visitors looked to get back on level terms midway through the half.
The second goal would arrive in the 36th minute as Lewandowski scored for the second successive game by turning home Joules Kounde's low cross from ten yards out, taking his tally to 19 league goals.
Barcelona were not done there, as Raphinha got his name on the scoresheet five minutes later with a neat finish past Rui Silva after being played in by Busuqets' ball over the top.
The Catalans carried that momentum into the second half and nearly added a fourth goal ten minutes in when Lewandowski was slipped through on goal but saw his low strike crash against the upright.
Betis opted for a couple changes with 25 minutes to play, with Ayoze Perez and Juan Miranda making way for Abner and Joaquin, who was playing his last game at the Camp Nou as he is retiring at the end of the season.
Barcelona did go on to grab a fourth goal with eight minutes left on the clock when Guido Rodríguez diverted Ansu Fati's cross into his own net to round off a big win for the home side.
While 41-year-old Joaquin was forced with an injury, there was some history for the home side as History was made at the Camp Nou as 15-year-old Lamine Yamal got his first official appearance after replacing Gavi for the final five minutes.
In doing so, Yamal became Barcelona's youngest debut in the 21st century.
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