Lamine Yamal Barcelona 2023-24Getty Images

Lamine Yamal is ready for the bright lights! Seven things we learned as Barcelona teenager turns Tottenham friendly around after sorry first-half display

Barcelona pieced together a markedly poor 60 minutes against a makeshift Tottenham side, before the introduction of 16-year-old Lamine Yamal turned things around in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Tuesday. The youngster assisted one, and was vital in the build up for two more, as the Blaugrana ran out 4-2 winners.

Spurs arrived in Catalunya without some of their main attacking options, with Son Heung-Min benched and Harry Kane not even in the matchday squad. However, they dominated for long spells, and probably could have won this one with some more clinical finishing.

Things started well for the home side, though. With Ousmane Dembele almost certain to leave the club, Raphinha was charged with filling the vacant spot on Barca's right wing, and the Brazilian created the home side's opener, his angled pass perfectly meeting Robert Lewandowski's left foot for an early 1-0 lead.

But Barca swiftly lost control. A Kane-less Spurs created chance after chance throughout the remainder of the first half, with Oliver Skipp the unlikely beneficiary. He grabbed his first on 24 minutes after ghosting in at the far post to turn home a rebound. His second was more impressive, a well-timed run and fine header to give Spurs a much-deserved 2-1 lead which they held until nine minutes from full-time.

Yamal's introduction changed things. The teenager led Barca to victory with a wonderful 15 minute cameo, teasing Sergio Reguilon on the right-wing and giving Barca the dynamism and thrust they have lacked there for some time.

The 16-year-old assisted the equaliser, feeding Ferran Torres from close range. And he started the move for the third and fourth, with two other La Masia products — Ansu Fati and Ez Abde — grabbing stoppage-time goals. And so while there were plenty of concerns for Barca, this game will now be remembered for the arrival of the academy's latest wonderkid.

GOAL looks at what we learned during the clash at Barca's new temporary home, the Lluis Companys Olympic Stadium...

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