Another teenager has made history for Barcelona in the Spanish league. Seventeen-year-old Marc Guiu scored about 30 seconds into his first-team debut to give the Catalan club a 1-0 win over Athletic Bilbao, becoming the second-youngest player this century to score in his league debut.
“They told me to go out there and give everything I have, that I would have my chances,” Guiu said. “I dreamed about this so many times. I won’t sleep tonight.”
Malaga’s Fabrice Olinga was 16 years, 98 days old when he scored against Celta Vigo in his debut in 2012. Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal became the youngest scorer in the Spanish league in a 2-2 draw against Granada before the international break at 16 years, 87 days.
Guiu, who is 17 years, 291 days, came off the bench and after two touches was celebrating the game-winning goal in the 80th minute that moved Barcelona to third place in the standings.
Guiu sprinted toward the area after a pass by João Félix and found the net with a low shot that beat Bilbao goalkeeper Unai Simón for his first goal. The victory gave Barcelona 24 points after 10 matches, one point behind league leaders Real Madrid and Girona.
Barcelona, the only unbeaten team left in the league, got the win despite playing without several regular starters, including Robert Lewandowski, Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Raphinha, Jules Koundé and Sergi Roberto.
Barcelona has not lost in its last eight league matches against Bilbao, with seven wins and a draw. It has won four straight games against the Basque Country team without conceding any goals since coach Xavi took over.
Barcelona entered a demanding week that includes a Champions League game against Shakhtar Donetsk on Wednesday and a “clasico” against Madrid on Saturday.
“We have many injured players and today we finished with a titanic effort,” Xavi said. “We are one point behind Madrid and it will be crucial to win the clasico.”
Bilbao dropped to sixth place with the loss, its second in three matches.
GIRONA AT THE TOP
Girona rallied from a two-goal deficit to beat Almeria 5-2, joining Real Madrid at the top of the league. Girona scored three quick goals in the first half, led by Artem Dovbyk’s brace, securing their eighth win in ten matches. Almeria, still winless, saw an early lead slip away.
VILLARREAL HELD AGAIN
Villarreal’s winless streak in the league reached five games after a 1-1 home draw against Alaves. Samuel Omorodion put the visitors ahead in the 48th and Gerard Moreno equalized by converting a 65th-minute penalty kick. Both teams are near the relegation zone.
