What should have been a routine penalty is the moment that could define Barcelona's last weeks of the season and even a whole summer.
Lamine Yamal converted from the spot to make it 1-0 on the night against Celta Vigo, and was naturally expecting to run and celebrate with his teammates, but he was straight to the floor clutching his head and later clutching the back of his thigh.
As his teammates came to celebrate, concern soon followed. He was substituted a minute or so later and went straight down the tunnel.
It seems the injury came when his body twisted at an awkward angle in the process of striking the ball. It was in the striking motion alone that his hamstring took enough of a strain to actually rip.
Despite suffering with groin issues recently, he still made regular appearances for Barca. This muscle problem, coupled with his history of similar injuries, makes this more concerning.
What the experts are saying
The physiotherapist was able to give a basic prognosis based on his symptoms, which were: discomfort immediately after striking the ball, severe immediate pain and the way he grasped the back of his thigh. The physio thought it might have been a groin injury because of the motion of shooting but based on Yamal's immediate reaction he believed it was a hamstring tear.
If it is confirmed to be the grade 1, then it will rule him out for two to four weeks, whereas if it it’s grade 2, that length of time would increase to five to eight weeks. That can make a big difference depending on the season and also the coming World Cup.
When Flick was asked on his reaction to the injury after the game, he was pragmatic in his answer: "About Lamine Yamal's injury? We will wait for tomorrow. We will get the clear diagnose and we will see. It is what it is. Lamine is a very important player for us, like Joao Cancelo."
Medical tests have been performed but we will have the full extent of the damage within the next 24 hours.
What is at stake.
The timing of the injury could simply not be worse. Barcelona still have some of the hardest games on their fixture list. They have got the Clasico against Real Madrid at the start of May and there is now real concern that they could be without their young prodigy.
Beyond that we have got 50 days until the FIFA World Cup kicks off, and while the grade 1 injury will already see him tight for time, the grade 2 will probably mean that he is out for the entire tournament.
Barcelona have already lost Raphinha, and now this potentially serious injury. With their key players now all missing significant games, could Barcelona be set for a spectacular collapse in La Liga.
Yamal has truly been the highlight of Barcelona's season. 15 league goals and 11 assists and a performance beyond statistical numbers, carrying his team when needed. A league title is well within their grasp.
Everything now rides on what the scans show in the morning as Barcelona fans hold their breath.
Add us as a preferred source on Google