The VAR gifts La Liga to Barça with a last-minute penalty for Dani Olmo against Celta.
Barcelona defeats Celta 4-3 at Montjuic with a stoppage-time penalty, once again putting VAR decisions under the spotlight.
VAR steals the show once again in LaLiga
FC Barcelona secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over Celta Vigo in Montjuic, thanks to a penalty awarded in the 98th minute after a controversial VAR decision involving Dani Olmo.
The decisive moment came when Celta’s Yoel Lago made light contact with Olmo’s back—while the Barça midfielder was already falling. Despite the minimal contact, referee Melero López awarded the penalty after a VAR review. Raphinha converted it with a powerful shot, sealing the win for Barça.
A chaotic match filled with goals and controversy
The game was unpredictable from the start. Ferran Torres opened the scoring for Barça in the 12th minute, but Celta equalized almost immediately through Borja Iglesias, capitalizing on a huge error by goalkeeper Szczęsny.
Despite dominating possession, Barça struggled to create clear chances. In the second half, Celta came out strong and punished another defensive error, with Iglesias netting twice more to complete a stunning hat-trick and give the visitors a 3-2 lead.
Barça quickly responded—goals from Dani Olmo and Raphinha in quick succession brought the score back to 3-3.
Key referee decisions under fire
With the match level, Celta had reasons to be furious:
- Íñigo Martínez, already on a yellow, avoided a second booking after a tactical foul on a counter.
- Szczęsny’s challenge in the box went unpunished, despite strong appeals for a penalty.
Then came the final blow—a soft penalty on Dani Olmo that ultimately decided the match. The decision has drawn criticism from fans and pundits alike, many claiming VAR once again tilted the balance in Barcelona’s favor.
LaLiga title race intensifies
With this win, Barcelona now leads the table with 73 points. Real Madrid, on 71, will face Athletic Club at the Bernabéu on Sunday. All eyes are now on the upcoming El Clásico on May 11th, which could prove decisive in the title race.
Controversy continues to shadow the league—but the excitement is far from over.
