Swallow It: Yamal Taunts Esp, Barcelona Move Nine Clear

Barcelona, 7 April — Lamine Yamal celebrated his 100th La Liga appearance in the most memorable fashion possible, scoring once and setting up two more as Barcelona cruised to a 4-1 derby victory over Espanyol on Saturday. The 17-year-old’s performance was the headline act, yet it was his post-match social-media swipe that stole the spotlight.

“Barcelona is 💙❤️!! Time to swallow it, as usual,” Yamal wrote on his personal account, a barb that echoed Espanyol boss Manolo González’s own press-room admission. “In the 85th minute, we were closer to the Les Corts cemetery than to Camp Nou,” González had said. “When you lose, you have to accept it, you’ve got to swallow it.”

The win sends Barcelona nine points clear at the summit of La Liga with seven fixtures remaining. While Celta Vigo visit the Catalan capital next, attention will first turn to the Champions League, where Barcelona must protect their quarter-final lead against Atlético in the second leg at the Metropolitano.

Yamal’s derby masterclass and sharp tongue ensured Espanyol were left to do exactly what he suggested: swallow it.