Lamine Yamal, 15, became Barcelona’s youngest-ever player as they defeated 10-man Real Betis to move 11 points clear at the top of La Liga.

Gavi was replaced in the 84th minute by the academy product, who turns 16 in July.

Yamal, who is 15 years and 290 days old, is the fifth-youngest player in the competition.

Andreas Christensen, Robert Lewandowski, Raphinha, and an own goal by Guido Rodrguez all scored to earn the victory.

‘Dreams of Messi and Barcelona collide with reality,’ says Balague Mallorca prodigy Luka Romero, who made his La Liga debut against Real Madrid in 2020 at the age of 15 years and 219 days.

Yamal, described as “fearless” by Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez, was included to the team for the first time last Sunday against Atletico Madrid.

Joaquin, a Betis winger who also played at the Nou Camp on Saturday, had already made 215 La Liga appearances when Yamal was born.

Christensen scored his first goal for Barcelona from six yards out after getting on the end of Raphinha’s inswinging pass.

Edgar Gonzalez, who came on for the injured Luiz Felipe, was sent off in the 33rd minute after receiving two yellow cards in short succession.

Three minutes later, Lewandowski scored off a Jules Kounde cross to extend the hosts’ lead.

Raphinha scored a third goal just before halftime, after a lengthy video assistance referee assessment after the goal was initially ruled out for offside.

The win was sealed in the 82nd minute when Betis defender Rodrguez turned Ansu Fati’s cross into his own net.