<figure id="attachment_3277584" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-3277584" style="width: 1600px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" class="wp-image-3277584 size-full" src="https://media.freemalaysiatoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/6eff2262-afp__20260207__96hx93l__v1__midres__fblespligabarcelonamallorca_cropped_1.webp" alt="" width="1600" height="1000" /><figcaption id="caption-attachment-3277584" class="wp-caption-text">Barcelona’s Polish forward Robert Lewandowski celebrates after scoring in the Spanish league match against RCD Mallorca. (AFP pic)</figcaption></figure>
BARCELONA: Robert Lewandowski and Lamine Yamal scored as Barcelona eased to a comfortable 3-0 win over Mallorca on Saturday to move four points clear at the top of La Liga.
The champions extended the gap to Real Madrid in second before Alvaro Arbeloa&#8217;s side visit Valencia on Sunday, with Marc Bernal also on target late on at the partially reopened Camp Nou stadium.
Barcelona&#8217;s first-half display was sluggish, even though Lewandowski&#8217;s goal had them ahead at the break.
&#8220;I was not happy&#8230; we were not on our level, the playing and passing was too slow,&#8221; admitted Hansi Flick, who demanded more from his side going forward.
&#8220;The first half was not how Barca want to play, (but) the second half was much better,&#8221; Flick said.
Mallorca target man Vedat Muriqi came close early on as he slid in at the back post but hit the side netting, while Jan Virgili&#8217;s shot was saved by Joan Garcia.
Marcus Rashford added some urgency into Barca&#8217;s game after a listless start, curling inches wide of the far post after cutting in from the left.
A blocked shot from the England international led to the opener, with Dani Olmo knocking the rebound to Lewandowski to finish from close range.
Rashford&#8217;s dangerous free-kick was tipped onto the bar by Mallorca stopper Leo Roman, and Yamal missed from point-blank range as Jules Kounde sent the rebound into his path.
The 18-year-old made amends in the second half with a superb shot from outside the area which left Roman with no chance.
It was his fourth goal in four games, with Yamal in his best form of the season.
&#8220;He kept his energy for the second half and the goal. Lamine is fantastic,&#8221; said Flick.
Bernal&#8217;s breakthrough
Midfielder Marc Casado struck the crossbar with a deflected effort as Barca could have opened up a wider lead.
At the other end, Garcia earned his clean sheet with a good save to thwart Antonio Sanchez, before Bernal rounded off Barca&#8217;s victory.
The 18-year-old midfielder broke in behind the Mallorca defence, showed composure to open up a shooting angle and finished with the aid of a deflection, his first goal for the club.
Bernal broke into the first team at the start of last season but a severe knee injury in August 2024 kept him out for around a year and delayed his progress.
&#8220;It&#8217;s a great joy for him, when a player has such a bad injury we all feel it, we suffered with him&#8230; I&#8217;m very happy for him,&#8221; Casado told Movistar.
Bernal, who usually plays at the base of the midfield, admitted scoring for the first time for the club was an emotional moment after his injury struggle.
&#8220;When I scored I thought a lot about how tough the last year was for me, so it&#8217;s really satisfying, for my family too, I thought of them too,&#8221; said Bernal.
Flick handed 19-year-old midfielder Tommy Marques his debut late on, as another youngster from the club&#8217;s feted La Masia academy made the jump to the first team.
&#8220;His technique is unbelievable, his body language is top,&#8221; said Flick, adding that the Spaniard may be able to start playing regularly for Barca next season.
In the late match, Real Sociedad moved up a place to eighth, just four points behind Real Betis in fifth, after a 3-1 win at home to Elche.
Earlier on Saturday, La Liga postponed Rayo Vallecano&#8217;s home match against Real Oviedo because of the condition of the pitch at the Madrid&#8217;s side&#8217;s Vallecas stadium.
They later moved Sevilla&#8217;s home game against Girona, scheduled for a 5.30 slot on Saturday, to Sunday because of adverse weather conditions.

MatchPoint Times

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