Barcelona thrash FC Seoul 7-3 as Yamal shines in pre-season friendly

Barcelona delivered an emphatic 7-3 victory over FC Seoul in a thrilling pre-season clash on Thursday, with teenage sensation Lamine Yamal stealing the show. 

The Spanish champions produced an attacking masterclass in South Korea, with Yamal and Ferran Torres both scoring twice, while Robert Lewandowski, Andreas Christensen, and Gavi also found the net in a dominant performance.

The match started brightly for the visitors, as Lewandowski opened the scoring in the 8th minute after a clever assist from Yamal. 

The 18-year-old winger then got on the scoresheet himself with a solo effort in the 14th minute. 

Although FC Seoul responded impressively through goals from Cho Young-wook and Yazan Al-Arab to make it 2-2, Yamal restored Barça’s lead just before half-time with his second of the game.

After the break, Barcelona resumed control, extending their lead through Christensen’s powerful strike in the 55th minute. 

Torres added a fifth with a clinical finish following a swift counterattack, and Gavi made it 6-2 with a neat turn and shot. 

Despite another response from Seoul’s Jung Han-min, who scored their third of the afternoon, Torres sealed the rout with his second goal in the 88th minute, assisted by Marcus Rashford.

Yamal was named Man of the Match for his outstanding first-half display, which included two goals and an assist. 

The young Spaniard’s electric performance underlined his growing importance to the team and his continued development under manager Hansi Flick. 

Though he was withdrawn at half-time, his impact had already defined the outcome of the match.

Despite the dominant win, Flick will have noted some defensive concerns. Barcelona conceded three times against a spirited FC Seoul side, with lapses in their high defensive line once again evident. 

Flick has acknowledged the need to tighten the backline ahead of the new season, especially after defensive frailties proved costly during last year’s Champions League campaign.

Barcelona will complete their Asian tour with a match against Daegu on Monday before returning to Spain for the Joan Gamper Trophy against Como on August 10.