Barcelona’s rising superstar Lamine Yamal experienced a rare moment of fallibility on Monday night (February 16, 2026), missing a crucial penalty in the closing moments of the first half against Girona. This miss proved costly as the Catalan giants eventually succumbed to a 2-1 defeat, losing their grip on the top spot in La Liga.
Heartbreak for Yamal: Barcelona Sensation Suffers First Career Penalty Miss Against Girona
With Robert Lewandowski sidelined, the 18-year-old took on the responsibility of lead penalty taker. In the 45+2 minute, after Dani Olmo was brought down in the box, Yamal stepped up to the spot with a chance to give Barcelona the lead.
- The Result: Yamal’s strike beat the goalkeeper but rattled off the post, leaving the score level at halftime.
- The Context: This marks the first time Yamal has failed to convert from the spot since being promoted to the first team two years ago.
Yamal’s Penalty Record (As of February 2026)
Despite the miss, Yamal’s record remains highly impressive for a player of his age. Before the Girona fixture, he maintained a 100% conversion rate.
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Total Penalties Taken | 8 |
| Penalties Scored | 7 |
| Penalties Missed | 1 (vs Girona) |
| Career Goals (Barça) | 15 |
| Career Assists (Barça) | 13 |
Where did Lamine Yamal score his previous penalties?
- La Liga: 3 goals from the spot this season (against Rayo Vallecano and Real Betis).
- Champions League: 1 penalty scored against Olympiacos.
- Other Competitions: 3 additional successful conversions for club and country.
A Growing Responsibility
At just 18, Yamal has become the focal point of Barcelona’s attack. While the miss against Girona invited heavy criticism from Spanish media, manager Hansi Flick defended the youngster after the match:
“Lamine has saved us many times this season. Missing a penalty is part of the game; it’s a learning curve for a player who is still technically a teenager.”
