A Yamal penalty decides a hard-fought and tense Barça-Celta: FC Barcelona 1-0 Celta de Vigo

Hansi Flick’s team appeared at Spotify Camp Nou needing to maintain their lead at the top of LaLiga after the pressure from Real Madrid, as well as react following their European elimination. Facing them was a Celta involved in the fight for continental spots, ready to challenge the leader’s script. 

First half

The start was a serious warning from the Galician side. Before Barça could settle, Joan García had to intervene twice against Pablo Durán, and shortly after Ferran Jutglà missed a clear chance. The blaugrana side took time to find continuity and also had to restructure their defense due to the Joao Cancelo injury, replaced early in the match.

As the minutes passed, Barcelona began stringing passes near Radu’s area and increased their play down Yamal’s flank. Dani Olmo warned with a header, and the winger himself ended up tipping the scales: he drove inside the box, forced a foul from Yoel Lago and took responsibility for the penalty. His low and precise shot put the 1-0 on the board and ignited the stadium. The celebration, however, was short-lived, as the goalscorer ended up lying on the turf and had to leave the field before the break.

Second half

After the break, Barça tried to control the pace with more possession and less end-to-end play. Fermín gave fresh legs in midfield and Pedri took more command in circulation. The blaugrana side even started to feel comfortable when Ferran Torres scored what seemed to be the second goal, but the VAR review ruled the action offside and kept Celta alive.

Claudio Giráldez’s team shook up the bench to stir the game, but could not find the finishing touch to change the story. Barcelona, without having much to spare, defended that minimal margin with order and turned the final stretch into an exercise of control and resilience. It was a professional victory, one of those that carry weight in April as much as a large-margin win, although with the added concern about the physical condition of their most decisive player of the night.

Match details

FC Barcelona 1-0 Celta de Vigo. LaLiga Matchday 33, played on April 22, 2026, at Spotify Camp Nou in front of 59,034 spectators.

Referee: José Luis Munuera Montero.

Goal: 1-0, Lamine Yamal, penalty, 40th minute.

FC Barcelona: Joan García; Jules Koundé, Pau Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Joao Cancelo; Eric García, Pedri, Gavi; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Ferran Torres. Also played Alejandro Balde, Roony Bardghji, Fermín López, Frenkie de Jong, and Marcus Rashford.

Celta de Vigo: Andrei Radu; Javi Rodríguez, Yoel Lago, Marcos Alonso; Javi Rueda, Fer López, Ilaix Moriba, Sergio Carreira; Pablo Durán, Ferran Jutglà, and Hugo Álvarez. Also played Óscar Mingueza, Williot Swedberg, Borja Iglesias, Iago Aspas, and Hugo Sotelo.