10 things we learned from LaLiga as Lamine Yamal makes a historic Barcelona debut

The weekend’s action in Spain left Barcelona just three wins from the title but while Real Madrid will miss out on the trophy, Karim Benzema showed his class.

The Frenchman is set to fight with Robert Lewandowski for the top-scorer prize right to the end of the season after netting a hat-trick against Almeria this weekend as Los Blancos romped to a 4-2 win.

Elsewhere Valencia fell back into relegation trouble after falling to a shock 2-1 loss against Cadiz. And at the Nou Camp, a star was born as Barca starlet Lamine Yamal made history with a debut aged just 15.

With six games left to play in LaLiga, Mail Sport's Spanish football reporter PETE JENSON casts his eye over the weekend's action and offers 10 things he learned.

Boy wonder looks the part

Lamine Yamal is only 15 years old and a lot needs to happen for him to fulfill his talent but he left the Camp Nou in no doubt about why he has been signed by Jorge Mendes and why he has become the youngest player in the club’s history to make his debut.

There was almost a goal and assist in his 10 minutes on Saturday against Betis.

Ansu needs a break

The emergence of Yamal means Ansu Fati is no longer Barca's golden boy. His agent (also Mendes) has assured Barcelona there is a 70m euros offering coming in for him this summer, according to Diario Sport.

It's hard to believe anyone would pay that right now for a player still some way off his form from two seasons ago.

But there was a glint of the old magic on Saturday when he dropped the shoulder to accelerate into space and score against Betis.

The ball hit Guido Rodriguez on its way in and was given as an own-goal... Ansu just can't catch a break right now.

Vinicius, we have a problem

He has been booked 10 times this season. Karim Benzema only has nine yellows to his name in 14 seasons.

He’s not a bruising central defender or an uncompromising holding midfielder. He is a winger who needs to let his football destroy opponents.

Too many cards, often for dissent, have seen him suspended twice this season. He’ll miss this midweek’s fixture against Real Sociedad but at least he’ll be rested for next weekend’s cup final.

The title is over, but not the Pichichi

The award given to the top scorer in Spain at the end of the season could still be Benzema’s or Lewandowski’s.

The Frenchman’s team-mates seemed keen to tee him up at every opportunity on Saturday against Almeria – he is now just two behind leading his Polish counterpart who has 18 goals.

Christensen should be in La Liga team of the season

The Chelsea defender scored his first league goal since 2017 on Saturday in Barcelona’s emphatic 4-0 win over Betis. Back after a long injury lay-off he was also impeccable in defence.

The Dane has been outstanding in his first season at the club – no wonder they are torn between building next season’s defence around him and cashing in on him having got him for nothing from Chelsea.

Cavani and Valencia divorce pending

The Uruguayan has another year left on his deal but he got just eight minutes against Cadiz. His team need goals but there is no-room for the six-times Ligue 1 winner.

At 36-years-old he still has some goals left in him but he can’t score them from the bench – regardless of whether they stay up or not, he can’t stay at the club into next season.

East coast derby to decide two seasons

Villarreal go to Valencia on Wednesday in a game that neither side can afford to draw much less lose. Villarreal, so long in their shadow of their much bigger neighbours, can keep up their chase for a Champions League position, and send their rivals closer to relegation in the process.

Memphis is back for the final push

He returned with a goal against Valladolid as Atletico Madrid kept up the pressure on Real Madrid for second place.

Diego Simeone’s side are still on the shoulder of Carlo Ancelotti’s team knowing a dip could come from them now that the Spanish Cup and the Champions League semi-final is upon them.

Doherty picked the wrong time to move to Atletico

The former Tottenham right-back signed for Atletico Madrid just as Nahuel Molina discovered his best form. The Argentine right-back has been outstanding since the World Cup and he scored his team’s brilliant first as they won 5-2 on Sunday.

With Molina playing so well it’s no wonder Doherty is yet to make a start.

Tickertape is back

We saw it from the Sevilla fans ahead of their second leg with Manchester United and down the road at Cadiz the streamers and the paper blizzard were used to help the strugglers to that big win over relegation rivals Valencia.