World Cup worry as Lamine Yamal injured while converting penalty in Barcelona's win over Celta Vigo

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Lamine Yamal was injured while converting a penalty in Barcelona's 1-0 Spanish league win over Celta Vigo on Wednesday.

Yamal scored in the 40th minute and immediately looked to the bench to signal he was hurt. He 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.

“Of course it’s a real blow for us because Lamine is a very important player for the team,” Barcelona midfielder Gavi said. “He was upset in the locker room. I don’t know how long he will be sidelined because of the injury, but hopefully he will be back as soon as possible because we need him.”

Barcelona didn't give any immediate information about the severity of the injury sustained by the 18-year-old forward, who is set to make his World Cup debut with Spain in June.

“Hopefully Lamine will only miss a few weeks,” Barcelona midfielder Pedri said. “I wish him the best of luck. He needs to remain calm because he's young and will surely recover well.”

Barcelona also lost Portugal defender João Cancelo because of an apparent right leg injury in the 24th.

Flick said the injuries would be evaluated Thursday.

The Catalan club restored its nine-point lead over second-place Real Madrid, which defeated Alaves 2-1 on Tuesday.

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Barcelona's Lamine Yamal lies on the pitch injured during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Celta Vigo in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal celebrates after scoring the opening goal during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Celta Vigo in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal scores the opening goal by a penalty during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Celta Vigo in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal lies on the pitch in pain during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Celta Vigo in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

Barcelona's Lamine Yamal lies on the pitch in pain during the Spanish La Liga soccer match between Barcelona and Celta Vigo in Barcelona, Spain, Wednesday, April 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)

CHICAGO (AP) — Cubs starter Jameson Taillon thinks he'll end up on the injured list after he left Chicago's 2-1, 10-inning loss to the San Francisco Giants on Sunday night with a strained left hamstring.

Taillon walked Matt Chapman to lead off the second with Chicago trailing 1-0. Then, the Cubs training staff and manager Craig Counsell came to the mound to talk to the right-hander. After a brief discussion, Taillon walked to the dugout and was replaced by righty Javier Assad, who was recalled from Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

“I don't think it's crazy,” said Taillon, who'll have an MRI on Monday. “Like, I'm walking around and moving around. Obviously, it will be an IL stint, but hopefully we can keep the arm conditioned and moving around. I don't think it's surgical or anything like that.”

Taillon said he first felt discomfort in the hamstring after throwing an inside changeup to Chapman that made the count 2-2 in the at-bat.

“And then kind of in-between pitches, I was kind of trying to weigh whether I should throw another pitch or not, then threw the 3-2 pitch and kind of felt it a little more,” Taillon said. “Nothing I've ever felt. Unfortunately, just kind of one pitch did it.”

Taillon allowed a run in the first inning Sunday on a walk followed by two singles, pushing his ERA to 5.19. He entered the game 2-5 and had lost four straight decisions over his previous five starts.

Assad followed with 6 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit, along with a walk and a hit batter. He retired the final 12 Giants hitters he faced.

San Francisco won it in the 10th when Chapman singled in automatic runner Jonah Cox. The Giants won for the fourth time in their last five games and handed Chicago its 20th loss in 27.

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Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Jameson Taillon throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game in Chicago, Sunday, June 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)