Yamal, Olmo score goals as Barcelona rallies to beat Alaves

Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo scored the opening goals of the first half and a late second to seal the win at the Nou Camp after an early setback. Barcelona defeated Alaves 3-1 in La Liga on Saturday.

The victory moves the reigning champions, who are 34 points clear of Real Madrid, who are playing in Girona on Sunday, for the first time.

After two and a half years of rehabilitation, Barcelona made it through a shaky start amid uncharacteristic pre-game ticket delays that left the stadium half-full at kickoff.

The issue, according to the club, was brought on by technical issues that made thousands of fans unable to access their tickets through the club’s mobile app, leading to lengthy lines at the fan support office, and causing the game to start with wide areas of empty seats.

Pablo Ibanez struck from close range to give the hosts a first-half stunner. Ibanez pounced on the loose ball inside the six-yard box after Marc Bernal’s mistake on a corner, which was made before he could neatly slot it into the net.

Barcelona responded to this however just seven minutes later. Raphinha received a low cross into the box after Alejandro Balde darted down the left flank. To make it 1-1, Yamal, 18, met the ball with a powerful one-touch finish into the top corner.

Olmo, who expertly curled the ball home first-time from inside the box as the Blaugrana advanced, scored another assist in the 26th of the game.

After receiving a brilliant pass from Robert Lewandowski, Yamal was just inches away from double-figure time in the 44th minute, but his effort fell to the post with the gaping goal.

Just before the break, Lucas Boye fired a quick counterattack to almost equalize Alaves.

Olmo seals Barca’s comeback

In the 56th minute, Lewandowski was denied by a spectacular reflex save from Alaves keeper Antonio Sivera, who had already been playing for Barcelona. In the 77th minute, Boye missed a second chance for the visitors when he went wide from inside the box.

In added time, Olmo put the outcome beyond question, finishing with a strong one-two with Yamal, who was left content to slot home with composure inside the box.

Midfielder Pedri, 23, who had a muscle injury for the first time in more than a month, made his comeback at the game.

Before Tuesday’s crucial game against Atletico Madrid, he scored a much-needed boost in the second half.

Diego Simeone’s team are fourth in the La Liga standings with 28 points, which is their first loss since August’s opening game.