Real Madrid defeat Alaves as Barcelona's Yamal injures hamstring

Madrid ended a four-game winless run while Barcelona's lead grew to nine points, but Spain face possible World Cup disruption.

Real Madrid defeated Deportivo Alaves 2–1 at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, ending a month-long winless streak that followed their Champions League quarterfinal elimination by Bayern Munich¹³. Kylian Mbappé opened scoring in the 30th minute with a deflected shot, and Vinícius Júnior added a second goal before Alaves pulled one back late in the match³. The result left Madrid six points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona with seven matches remaining¹³.

Barcelona restored their nine-point advantage the following day with a narrow victory over Celta Vigo, but the win came at potential cost⁴. Lamine Yamal scored from a penalty in the 40th minute but immediately signalled injury to the bench and collapsed as teammates arrived to celebrate⁴⁵. The 18-year-old forward clutched his left hamstring and left the pitch after medical attention⁴⁵.

Club officials believe Yamal sustained a torn hamstring, though a full diagnosis awaited scans scheduled for Thursday⁵. We have to wait. We have to see what it is. There is something. He felt it. After the goal, he would not leave the pitch without reason, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said after the match⁵.

The injury raises concerns for Spain's World Cup campaign in June, where Yamal was expected to play a central attacking role for the tournament favourites⁵. Barcelona next travel to Getafe on Saturday, while Real Madrid face Real Betis on Friday⁴. Third-placed Villarreal sit 12 points behind Barcelona⁴.

Madrid's winless run had included a 1–1 home draw with Girona and a 2–1 loss at Mallorca in La Liga, following their Copa del Rey exit to second-tier Albacete in January¹³. Parts of the Bernabéu crowd jeered during the match against Alaves and some fans booed after the final whistle³. Mbappé leads La Liga scoring with 24 goals³.