Barcelona’s Robert Lewandowski, left, is congratulated by Fermin Lopez, center, and Lamine Yamal (AP Photo/Joan Monfort) Barcelona strengthened their grip on the La Liga title race with a commanding 3-0 win over Mallorca on Saturday to open up a four-point lead at the top of the table. Teenage sensation Lamine Yamal played a central role, responding to an earlier miss with a stunning long-range finish to underline his growing influence. Robert Lewandowski set Barca on their way in the first half before 18-year-old academy graduate Marc Bernal wrapped up the points late on with the first goal of his senior career. The result gives Barcelona breathing room at the summit, although second-placed Real Madrid have a chance to reduce the deficit to a single point when they travel to Valencia on Sunday. Lewandowski broke the deadlock in the 29th minute, reacting quickest after Marcus Rashford’s initial effort down the left was blocked. The attacker calmly got the ball under control, moved it away from the defender and finished accurately from close range. Rashford’s growing confidence was evident again just before the break. His direct free kick in stoppage time forced an excellent save from Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Romano. The rebound dropped temptingly inside the box for Jules Koundé, but his unfortunate effort fell to Yamal, who surprisingly failed to convert practically from the goal line. Lewandowski, one of the game’s most prolific goalscorers with more than 650 club goals to his name, was quick to encourage the young winger after the mistake. Yamal made amends in the 61st minute in an emphatic way. He leapfrogged a defender on the edge of the box and unleashed a fierce left-footed shot into the bottom corner, keeping Roman on the spot. Both Yamal and Lewandowski were substituted later in the game and watched appreciatively as Bernal added the third in the 83rd minute. Barcelona cut through Mallorca’s midfield with a crisp move that released the teenager, who showed impressive composure to slip past a defender and neatly slot the ball against the post. Elsewhere in La Liga, two matches were postponed. Rayo Vallecano’s home clash with Oviedo was called off due to safety concerns on the pitch at Vallecas Stadium, while Sevilla’s game against Girona was also postponed due to bad weather. Oviedo said he understood the decision but criticized the late announcement and confirmed he was considering legal action.
