Yamal scores but injured as Barcelona beat Celta to restore La Liga lead

Lamine Yamal was injured while converting a penalty in Barcelona’s Spanish league win against Celta Vigo.

Yamal scored Barcelona’s first goal in the 40th minute on Wednesday and immediately looked to the bench and signalled that he was hurt.

The narrow win restores Barcelona’s nine-point lead at the top from fierce rivals Real Madrid, who won 2-1 against Alaves on Tuesday.

Spanish international forward, Yamal, who will be integral to his team’s chance at this summer’s World Cup, dropped to the ground as his teammates arrived to celebrate, then appeared to grab the back of his left leg.

Yamal left the field on his own after being attended by doctors. He talked briefly with coach Hansi Flick on the sidelines before walking into the locker-room tunnel by himself.

The 18-year-old Yamal is set to make his World Cup debut with Spain in the 2026 tournament in June.

Barcelona travel to Getafe on Saturday, while Real Madrid return to action at Real Betis on Friday.

Third-placed Villarreal are 12 points behind Real, but do have a game in hand as they travel to Real Oviedo on Thursday.

Champions League semifinalists Atletico Madrid were beaten 3-2 at 16th-placed Elche.

Atletico, who face Arsenal in the first leg of their last-four clash on April 29, are eight points clear of Betis in La Liga’s fourth and final Champions League qualifying spot, and four points behind Villarreal.