Barcelona claimed a narrow 1-0 victory over Celta Vigo at Camp Nou, with Lamine Yamal's penalty in the 40th minute proving decisive in a tightly contested La Liga clash.
Barcelona entered the match in commanding form, sitting atop the La Liga table with 26 wins from 31 games. The hosts carried a five-game winning streak into this encounter. Celta Vigo, meanwhile, occupied sixth place with 44 points and struggled for consistency, arriving at Camp Nou without a win in their last two outings.
The opening exchanges saw Barcelona control possession early, dominating the ball with their typical passing patterns. Celta Vigo remained compact defensively, content to absorb pressure and seek opportunities on the counter-attack. Neither side created clear-cut chances in the first 15 minutes.
Barcelona's breakthrough arrived in the 40th minute when Yamal stepped up to convert a penalty kick. The young winger showed composure from the spot, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way to give the hosts a crucial advantage heading into half-time.
The penalty proved to be the match's only goal, despite both teams creating opportunities. Barcelona finished the half with 3 shots on target from 10 total attempts. Celta Vigo matched that shot count on target but managed just 5 total attempts.
Barcelona adjusted their approach after the interval, looking to protect their lead rather than extend it. The visitors pressed higher up the pitch, searching for an equalizer. Yamal's departure late in the match reduced Barcelona's attacking threat somewhat.
Celta Vigo's best chance came when they tested goalkeeper Joan García, who made 3 saves throughout the 90 minutes. The away side finished with an expected goals tally of 1.33, marginally higher than Barcelona's 1.23, suggesting a competitive contest.
Yellow cards proved sparse. Celta Vigo's Y. Lago received a caution in the 59th minute for a foul. Barcelona's E. Garcia picked up a booking in the 90+2nd minute as the match wound down.
Barcelona dominated possession with 61 percent of the ball, completing 665 of 710 passes at 94 percent accuracy. Celta Vigo's 39 percent possession reflected their defensive approach, though they maintained a respectable 88 percent pass completion rate across 453 attempts.
García earned the highest rating among players on display, posting an 8.3 mark for his commanding goalkeeping display. Yamal earned an 8.0 rating after his penalty conversion, while Pedri and Pau Cubarsí anchored Barcelona's defense with 7.5 ratings each.
This victory extends Barcelona's lead atop the La Liga standings to 35 points ahead of second place. The hosts remain unbeaten in their current run and continue their march toward the title. Celta Vigo's inconsistency persists as they search for form in their push for European qualification.
