A Lamine Yamal penalty ensured Barcelona saw off a stubborn Celta Vigo side on Wednesday night to stretch their lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to nine points. However, the 1-0 victory at Spotify Camp Nou came at a cost, as the wonderkid winger was forced off injured straight after converting the winner from the spot in the first half.
Predictably, it was Yamal who was the catalyst for Barcelona. Having already twice come within inches of scoring, the teenager’s slaloming run drew a crude bodycheck in the penalty area shortly before half-time, and the 18-year-old dusted himself off to coolly convert the resulting spot-kick somewhat against the run of play. But rather than celebrate he immediately went down injured and was taken off.
That goal – which preceded a lengthy pause due to a medical emergency in the crowd – didn’t open the floodgates, as Barca were made to grind out the result against their Europe-chasing visitors. They did have the ball in the net shortly after the break, but Ferran Torres’ fine finish was ruled out for offside after a VAR check.
Ultimately, though, Hansi Flick’s men were able to get over the line, crucially extending their lead at the top of La Liga to a surely insurmountable nine points with just six games to play in their bid to retain the title.
GOAL rates Barcelona’s players from Spotify Camp Nou…
