Barcelona

WATCH: Lamine Yamal, Marcus Rashford and Fermin Lopez grab four goals in 11 minutes

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Barcelona have restored their two-goal lead over Olympiakos in the Champions League, after a concerning period for the Catalans, as the Greek giants threatened to make a comeback. Lamine Yamal has his side firmly back in control now though.

Fermin Lopez had given Barcelona an early lead in the first half, courtesy of a Lamine Yamal assist, and then doubled that lead just before the half. This time it was 17-year-old Dro Fernandez who provided his first assist for Lopez after Barcelona’s pressure told.

Olympiakos threaten comeback

However Olympiakos came out faster in the second half, and when Ayoub El Kaabi converted a Daniel Podence cross, the comeback was on. That was disallowed due to an offside, but an Eric Garcia handball was located in the build-up, and the Moroccan striker fired his penalty in off the post and past Wojciech Szczesny.

Yet their hopes took a significant blow when Santiago Hezze saw a second yellow after catching Marc Casado in the face.

Lamine Yamal converts decisive penalty

The game was all but over ten minutes later. A lovely exchange of passes between Lopez and Marcus Rashford sliced the Olympiakos defence open, and the England striker beat goalkeeper to the ball. Lamine Yamal stepped up to roll the ball into the net as Konstantinos Tzolakis went the wrong way.

Marcus Rashford gets in the act

Just six minutes later, Rashford had a goal of his own. A ball to the back post was knocked down by Alejandro Balde, and Rashford paused on the ball. His finish from stock still deceived Tzolakis for a second time, with a hesitation that reminded of Ronaldinho.

Fermin Lopez scores first hat-trick for Barcelona

The Greek champions were on the ropes at this point, and with Lamine Yamal off the pitch, replacement Roony Bardghji beat his man to the by-line. A slip meant his cutback looped into the middle of the box, but Lopez walked onto the bouncing ball to fire in his first ever professional hat-trick.

Rashford notches again after lovely Gerard Martin assist

Just 11 minutes after Lamine Yamal’s penalty, Rashford added a sixth. Gerard Martin won the ball back in midfield, and immediately launched Rashford in behind. A touch inside the defender, he again beat Tzolakis at the near post.

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