European Football Weekend: Yamal Makes History, Arsenal and Barcelona Shine

I remember the night at Brisbane Road, when Leyton Orient were relegated and the stands still sang. I cried. Last night, I cried again, but for a 17-year-old boy. Lamine Yamal had just scored his third brace in his first five games for Barcelona in LaLiga, something only Lionel Messi had done in the 21st century. At the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, he ran like a child, but played like a man. And I wondered: are we witnessing the beginning of a legend? Or just a fleeting moment? Meanwhile, in another corner of Europe, giants like Liverpool and Tottenham are struggling with themselves. Last weekend, football told a story of generational change. This weekend, from the Premier League to the Bundesliga, from LaLiga to Serie A, European football witnessed a series of noteworthy matches. In the Premier League, Manchester City won 1-0 against Manchester United at Old Trafford, despite playing with 10 men after a red card. Erling Haaland scored the only goal, continuing to assert his dominance in Manchester derbies. This was the 10th time Man City have won at Old Trafford as the away team, a record in Premier League history. Arsenal continued their perfect run with a 2-0 win over Sunderland, extending their Premier League winning streak to 9 games. This is their longest winning run since March 2026. Liverpool disappointed with a 0-0 draw against Fulham at Anfield, their fourth consecutive home draw. This is their longest winless run at Anfield since December 2026 to March 2026. Chelsea also dropped points with a 2-2 draw against Hull. Morgan Rogers became the fifth Chelsea player to score or assist in each of their first games of the season, joining the likes of Didier Drogba, Cesc Fàbregas, Diego Costa, and Eden Hazard. In LaLiga, Barcelona thrashed Levante 4-2, maintaining a perfect 5 wins from 5. Their goal difference after 5 games is +17, an astonishing number. Real Madrid kept pace with a 4-1 win over Rayo Vallecano. Kylian Mbappé scored 6 goals in his first 5 LaLiga games, the first Real Madrid player to do so since Karim Benzema in 2026/22. Atletico Madrid won 3-0 against Real Sociedad with three late goals. In the Bundesliga, Bayern Munich struggled to a 2-1 win over SV Elversberg, while Freiburg continued to lead the table. Borussia Dortmund also won against Paderborn. But the most notable thing is perhaps the rise of young talents. Lamine Yamal, Franco Mastantuono, and others are writing new pages of history. Based on my experience covering matches, I have noticed that this season marks a turning point: while giants like Liverpool and Tottenham are floundering, young and ambitious teams like Arsenal and Barcelona are soaring. Looking deeper, we see a clear tactical picture. Barcelona under Hansi Flick no longer depend on a single star. With 26 goal contributions (goals + assists) from 6 different players – Raphinha (11), Yamal (9), Fermín López (6), Gordon (4), Adeyemi (4) – Barcelona are displaying a diverse and unpredictable attacking style. This helps reduce tactical risk compared to last season, when they were often figured out. The +17 goal difference after 5 games is proof of improvement in both attack and defense. Flick has solved the defensive problems that were a chronic weakness for Barcelona in recent years. The emergence of Yamal, Fermín López, and other young players has brought a new breath of life, making Barcelona harder to predict. Arsenal under Mikel Arteta are also showing remarkable maturity. The 9-game winning streak in the Premier League is their best since March 2026. This comes not only from maintaining the form of key players but also from squad depth and flexible rotation. Arteta has built a stable machine, ready for the title race. This is the fourth time in Premier League history that a team has started with 4 straight wins, and Arsenal are showing they can go further. Liverpool, on the other hand, are having problems at home. Four consecutive draws at Anfield is their longest winless run since December 2026 to March 2026 (8 games). This is a worrying sign for their title ambitions. Their ability to break down deep defensive blocks is a problem for Klopp and his players. Meanwhile, Tottenham are in a real crisis, failing to score in the longest run in the top four tiers of English football. This is a structural problem that requires immediate tactical intervention. Back to LaLiga, Lamine Yamal is making history. Three braces in his first 5 games for Barcelona in LaLiga is a feat only Lionel Messi achieved in the 2026/13 season. At 17, Yamal is showing remarkable maturity. Raphinha also has 9 goal contributions (6 goals, 3 assists) – the highest for a Barcelona player after 5 games since Messi in 2026/18. Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé scored 6 goals in his first 5 LaLiga games for Real Madrid, the first since Karim Benzema in 2026/22. And Franco Mastantuono, the 19-year-old and 28-day-old Fiorentina player, became the youngest Argentine to score a hat-trick in one of Europe's top five leagues. These are signs that the younger generation is ready to take over. But it's not just about attack. Manchester City proved their champion mentality by winning at Old Trafford with 10 men. This is only the second time in Premier League history that an away team has won at Old Trafford with 10 men, after Everton. Erling Haaland once again shone with the only goal, continuing to be the top scorer in Manchester derbies for Man City. However, over-reliance on Haaland could be a potential risk for City if he gets injured or loses form. In the Bundesliga, Freiburg are leading the table, a surprise but also a reflection of the league's competitiveness. Bayern Munich are still chasing, but their struggles in the win over SV Elversberg show they are no longer the destructive force they once were. Overall, last weekend showed a multi-colored picture of European football. Records were broken, young talents shone, and giants struggled with themselves. It's time to look back and assess. However, amid the praise, I want to offer a different perspective. As I wrote after the night at Brisbane Road, defeat did not teach me to accept, it taught me to look again with different eyes. With Lamine Yamal, we also need to look at him with different eyes, not through the halo of Messi. Comparing a 17-year-old to the greatest legend in history is unfair. It creates enormous pressure and unrealistic expectations. The empty stadium in summer is when I hear the heartbeat of the game most clearly. And the heart of football is not in records, but in the sustainable development of each individual. Let's let Yamal grow, let him make mistakes, let him mature in his own way. An article standing up for Saka cannot save the world, but it is a shield. And sometimes, we need a shield to protect young players from the cruelty of public opinion. Similarly, concerns about Liverpool may be premature. Four home draws are disappointing, but it doesn't mean they are out of the title race. With Morgan Gibbs-White, who has scored or assisted in 8 consecutive Premier League away games, Liverpool still have formidable weapons. Their problem may just be bad luck or opponents' tactical changes. In football, everything can change after one match. And sometimes, a winless draw is the stepping stone for a run of victories. As for Tottenham, are we being too pessimistic? The scoreless run is a problem, but it can also be an opportunity to reflect and restructure. History shows many big clubs have overcome crises to come back stronger. The important thing is they need time and patience. Another perspective: is Barcelona being overrated? 5 straight wins is impressive, but the season is long. They haven't faced truly strong opponents yet. Real Madrid are still chasing and could be the main rival. Atletico Madrid are not easy to beat. So, let's wait for the real challenges. In Serie A, Franco Mastantuono is becoming a phenomenon. The 19-year-old and 28-day-old Fiorentina player scored a hat-trick, becoming the youngest Argentine to do so in one of Europe's top five leagues. This is an incredible achievement, and it shows his talent is real. Mastantuono has scored many goals for Fiorentina in just 5 games, equaling his tally at Real Madrid before. This is a big step in his career, and it may attract the attention of big clubs. Tactically, it seems that top teams are increasingly focusing on ball control and diverse attacking. Barcelona are a prime example, able to score from many different positions. Arsenal also show flexibility in their approach. Meanwhile, Liverpool are struggling to break down deep defenses, a problem they need to solve if they want to compete for the title. Financially, the rise of young talents also brings great value to clubs. Lamine Yamal is increasing Barcelona's commercial value, and Real Madrid can be pleased with their investment in Mbappé. Meanwhile, teams like Tottenham and Liverpool may need to reconsider their transfer strategies if the situation doesn't improve. I remember the summer of empty stadiums, when football had to be played without fans. It was a difficult time, but it was also when we realized the value of simple moments. Now, with stadiums full again, we appreciate even more the moments we witness young talents shining. Football is a team sport, but it is also the story of individuals. Finally, don't forget that football is a community sport. Empty stands are the clearest mirror of the love for this sport. When we witness moments of brilliance or pain, we remember that we are part of something greater than ourselves. Last weekend was a panorama of European football: records broken, young talents shining, and giants struggling with themselves. But above all, it reminds us that football is not just numbers. It is the story of people, dreams, and pain. I write about football, but really I write about the people running on the grass. As the season is long, let's wait and see if Barcelona can maintain this devastating form, how far Arsenal can go, and whether Tottenham or Liverpool can find themselves again. The question is not who will win the title, but who will write the most beautiful story. And in football, the most beautiful stories often come from the most unexpected places. Let football tell its story, and we, the fans, listen with our hearts.