Le Barça s’arrache face au Celta dans un match totalement fou

Barcelona pulled off one of the most thrilling comebacks of the season as they edged Celta Vigo 4-3 in an electrifying La Liga clash that had everything—from early goals to a dramatic late penalty. This match, played at the iconic Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, will go down as one of the standout fixtures of the 2024/2025 campaign.

The night began with promise for Hansi Flick’s men. Just 12 minutes in, Ferran Torres broke the deadlock after a well-constructed move, igniting hopes of a comfortable evening for the Catalans. However, complacency soon crept in, and it didn’t take long for chaos to ensue.

Only three minutes later, Borja Iglesias capitalized on a catastrophic error by Barcelona’s goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny, who misjudged a backpass and gifted the Celta striker a golden opportunity to level the game.

That equalizer shifted the momentum completely. Barcelona looked rattled, and Celta began to grow in confidence. By the time the second half kicked off, the visitors had gained full control of the match.

Iglesias struck again in the 52nd minute, this time after some slick passing tore through Barça’s high defensive line. Just ten minutes later, the same man completed his hat trick with a clinical finish, putting Celta 3-1 up and silencing the home crowd.

For a brief moment, it seemed as if Barcelona’s title hopes were hanging by a thread. Real Madrid’s pursuit was already intense, and dropping points at home could prove costly. But just when it looked like all was lost, the Blaugrana found their fighting spirit.

Dani Olmo, one of Flick’s trusted men, ignited the comeback in the 64th minute. Raphinha, who had been one of the brightest players on the pitch, delivered a precise pass for Olmo to slot home and reduce the deficit to 3-2.

The goal lifted the atmosphere in the stadium, and Barcelona began pressing with urgency. Just four minutes later, Raphinha was at the end of a cross and powered a header past the Celta keeper to level the score at 3-3. The stadium erupted as belief returned to the stands.

From then on, the match turned into a siege on Celta’s box. Barcelona dominated possession, creating chance after chance, but the decisive blow didn’t come until the dying seconds of stoppage time.

In the 98th minute, the referee pointed to the spot after a VAR review judged a Celta defender to have handled the ball in the box. Despite the pressure, Raphinha stepped up with nerves of steel and coolly converted the penalty, completing Barcelona’s unbelievable comeback.

It was Raphinha’s night. With two goals and an assist, the Brazilian winger delivered a performance worthy of Ballon d’Or discussions. His impact was undeniable, dragging Barcelona back from the brink and reaffirming his importance in Flick’s project.

The final whistle brought wild celebrations as the players collapsed to the pitch in relief and triumph. Flick applauded the fans, knowing how crucial this win could be in the race for the title.

Barcelona now sit seven points clear of Real Madrid, albeit with their rivals having a game in hand. Regardless, the psychological advantage of such a comeback could be even more valuable than the points themselves.

More than just a win, this match demonstrated the mental fortitude that champions are made of. For all their defensive vulnerabilities, Barcelona showed character, unity, and a burning desire to fight until the very end.

Flick’s decisions were vindicated. His substitutions, tactical tweaks, and trust in key players like Raphinha paid off handsomely. Even though the defense faltered, the offensive response was world-class.

For Celta, it was a gut-wrenching defeat. Borja Iglesias’ heroics were overshadowed by the collapse, but his performance was nothing short of exceptional.

In the end, this match may very well be remembered as the turning point in Barcelona’s season. If they go on to win the league, this chaotic night against Celta will be cited as the moment they truly showed their mettle.

One thing is certain: La Liga fans will be talking about this encounter for a long time. It had passion, goals, drama, and a finish worthy of the sport’s greatest stories.