FC Barcelona draws against Celta after a crazy ending in Balaídos (2-2)
Barcelona failed to secure a victory in a match they seemed to have firmly under control, letting a 2-0 lead slip in a chaotic finale. Despite early dominance and goals from Raphinha and Robert Lewandowski, Celta de Vigo staged a remarkable comeback with late strikes from Alfon and Hugo Álvarez, resulting in a dramatic 2-2 draw.
A Heated Start at Balaídos
The match began with an intense atmosphere, as Celta sought to intimidate Barcelona. Adding to the energy, Galician musician Abraham Cunqueiro played the Kamyx, a traditional Celtic war trumpet, before the game. Combined with the strong winds at Balaídos, reaching up to 61 km/h, the conditions proved challenging for the visiting team.
Celta started brightly, with Óscar Mingueza creating an early opportunity in the fourth minute, which Iago Aspas narrowly missed. Barcelona, meanwhile, struggled to establish control early on but gradually gained momentum.
The breakthrough came in the 15th minute when Jules Koundé launched a long pass to Raphinha. After capitalizing on a defensive error by Mingueza, the Brazilian forward beat goalkeeper Vicente Guaita with a precise low shot, bringing his tally to 23 goals and assists in just 18 games this season.
Despite holding the lead, Barcelona faced persistent pressure from Celta, who opted for direct attacking play. Lewandowski came close to doubling the advantage with a clever chip, but the goal was ruled out for offside.
The first half ended on a contentious note, as Gerard Martín, already booked, committed a hard foul on Aspas. However, referee Soto Grado refrained from issuing a second yellow card, infuriating the Celta fans and players.
A Second-Half Rollercoaster
Celta fans voiced their displeasure with loud whistles as the second half began. Barcelona, undeterred, started with renewed determination. Yet, they faced an early scare when Aspas unleashed a powerful long-range effort that narrowly missed the target.
Barcelona doubled their lead in the 61st minute. Raphinha set up Lewandowski, who skillfully evaded Javi Rodríguez and benefited from a fortunate rebound before slotting the ball past Guaita. With his 15th league goal of the season, Lewandowski continues to show his class and consistency.
However, the final 10 minutes of the match descended into chaos. In the 76th minute, Raphinha hit the post, missing a chance to make it 3-0. Moments later, Barcelona’s Marc Casadó received a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving the visitors down to 10 men.
Celta capitalized on the numerical advantage. In the 84th minute, Koundé lost possession in Barcelona’s penalty area, allowing Alfon to score. Just two minutes later, Hugo Álvarez completed the comeback with an impressive individual effort, leveling the match at 2-2.
Match Highlights and Standings
Despite the late drama, Barcelona remains at the top of the La Liga table with 34 points from 14 matches, five points clear of Atlético Madrid. Their next challenge will come on Tuesday at home in the Champions League against Brest.
This result serves as a reminder of the unpredictability of football, with Barcelona needing to tighten their defensive performance to avoid similar outcomes in future matches.
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