A penalty converted by Lamine Yamal allowed FC Barcelona to overcome a tenacious Celta Vigo team on Wednesday night, extending their lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to nine points. However, this 1-0 victory at the Spotify Camp Nou came at a cost, as the young prodigy had to leave the pitch due to injury just after scoring the winning goal from a penalty in the first half.
Not surprisingly, it was Yamal who animated the Barcelona game. After threatening to score twice, the young player drew a blatant foul in the box just before halftime, after a lightning slalom. The 18-year-old forward then got up to calmly convert the ensuing penalty, somewhat against the run of play. Instead of celebrating, he immediately collapsed, injured, and had to be substituted.
This goal, which caused a long interruption due to a medical emergency in the stands, did not open the floodgates: Barça had to fight to secure the result against visitors vying for a European spot. The Blaugranas did find the back of the net shortly after the break, but Ferran Torres’s fine finish was disallowed for offside after a VAR check.
In the end, Hansi Flick’s men still managed to prevail, thus widening a decisive gap at the top of La Liga with a nine-point lead, an advantage likely insurmountable with six matchdays left in their quest to retain the title.
GOAL notes the FC Barcelona players at the Camp Nou…
/2026/04/22/69e933fd8ed45460490692.jpg "Physical preparation, rest management, and new sports challenges … Léon Marchand opens up before his return.")
