Breaking it is a matter of time: Yamal closes in on Mbappe's miraculous record

Yamal scored a goal in each half

Lamine Yamal is still rewriting the record books at Barcelona. The Spain forward struck twice against Deportivo Alavés on Saturday at the Spotify Camp Nou, in the 11th round of La Liga.

Those goals took his tally to 40 before his 20th birthday, drawing him level with England's Michael Owen and within touching distance of Kylian Mbappé. The Real Madrid star tops this list over the last 30 seasons across Europe's top five leagues with 41.

Beating Mbappé's record now looks a formality. Yamal does not turn 20 until next July.

Read also

France Football reveals the numbers: 28 points denied Mbappé the Ballon d'Or!

Including 3 Arab votes: 13 countries handed the Ballon d'Or to Yamal

Hansi Flick had cause to celebrate too. The coach reached his 100th win in official competitions with Barcelona on Saturday, alongside 10 draws and 21 defeats.

That resounding 6-1 victory over Deportivo Alavés lifted Barça to 30 points and the top of the La Liga table, two clear of runners-up Atlético Madrid and six ahead of third-placed Real Madrid, who travel to Racing Santander in the same round on Sunday.

The timing could hardly have been better. Barcelona went into the match desperate to steady themselves after defeats to Paris Saint-Germain (4-2) and Real Madrid (2-1).