Barcelona solidified their position atop La Liga with a breathtaking 4-3 victory over Celta Vigo on Saturday, overcoming a two-goal deficit in a match brimming with twists and heroic performances. Substitute Raphinha emerged as the late hero, converting a 98th-minute penalty to cap a rollercoaster encounter that left fans breathless.
Late Penalty Seals Historic Rally
Trailing 3-1 after Borja Iglesias' second-half hat-trick for Celta, Barcelona clawed back with goals from Dani Olmo and Raphinha before the Brazilian’s decisive spot-kick. The win extends Barça’s lead over Real Madrid to seven points ahead of Sunday’s fixtures.
First Half Drama Sets Stage
Ferran Torres opened the scoring with a precise strike from the edge of the box, but defensive lapses allowed Celta to equalize immediately through Iglesias. Wojciech Szczęsny’s misjudged clearance gifted the striker an open net, foreshadowing a chaotic second half.
Second Half Resurgence
Iglesias capitalized on Frenkie de Jong’s error to put Celta ahead, then exploited Barcelona’s high defensive line to complete his hat-trick. However, substitutions proved pivotal: Olmo ignited the comeback with a 64th-minute volley before Raphinha’s header leveled the score.
'The Crowd Pushed Us Forward'
Olmo credited fans for fueling the revival: "We weren’t at our best, but the team’s spirit and the crowd’s energy carried us." Coach Hansi Flick’s halftime adjustments, emphasizing composure in buildup play, ultimately paid dividends.
La Liga Implications
The result intensifies pressure on Real Madrid, who now face a must-win game against Athletic Bilbao. For seventh-placed Celta, the heartbreaking loss underscores their struggle to defend late leads this season.
