Barcelona Stuns Celta Vigo in Injury-Time Comeback

Barcelona Stuns Celta Vigo in Injury-Time Comeback \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Barcelona staged a dramatic 4-3 comeback victory over Celta Vigo, led by Raphinha’s late double, including a stoppage-time penalty. The win pushes Barça seven points clear atop La Liga, but top scorer Robert Lewandowski left the field with a thigh concern. Hansi Flick praised his squad’s resilience with big fixtures on the horizon.

Quick Looks

• Raphinha scores two late goals, including a stoppage-time penalty, in 4-3 win over Celta Vigo
• Barcelona extends its La Liga lead to seven points ahead of Real Madrid’s match on Sunday
• Coach Hansi Flick embraces Raphinha post-match, calling him a leader
• Lewandowski leaves game with potential thigh injury, raising concerns for upcoming fixtures
• Borja Iglesias scores a hat trick for Celta Vigo in a stunning solo display
• Barcelona rallies with goals from Olmo and Raphinha after being down 3-1
• VAR decision awards Barça decisive penalty in injury time
• Barcelona faces Mallorca, Real Madrid, and Inter Milan in the next 10 days across all competitions
• Celta Vigo drops to eighth place; Mallorca climbs to seventh after draw with Leganes
• Umar Sadiq rescues a draw for Valencia at Rayo Vallecano

Deep Look

In a night filled with drama and dazzling football, Barcelona completed a sensational 4-3 comeback against Celta Vigo, thanks to a heroic late double from Raphinha—capped by a nerveless penalty in injury time.

The win not only highlighted Barcelona’s grit but also pushed them seven points clear at the top of La Liga, putting pressure on title rivals Real Madrid, who host Athletic Bilbao on Sunday.

But the joy was tinged with concern after Robert Lewandowski, the club’s top scorer, left the pitch touching his left thigh in the closing moments.

Raphinha: The Relentless Leader

The emotional moment that captured the night came right after the final whistle, when Hansi Flick, Barcelona’s coach, sprinted onto the field and lifted Raphinha into the air in a tight embrace. The Brazil forward had just finished a match-winning shift, scoring in the 88th minute and then burying the decisive penalty deep into stoppage time.

“It was amazing to see how this team never gives up,” Flick said. “At halftime, I told Raphinha I needed him to lead.”

And lead he did. Raphinha’s two-goal performance brought his tally to 30 goals across all competitions, a career-high, and underlined his growing importance in Barça’s ambitions across three ongoing competitions: La Liga, Copa del Rey, and the Champions League.

Lewandowski Injury Worry Ahead of Massive Fixtures

While the three points were vital, they may have come at a cost. Lewandowski, who has been in prolific form, asked to be substituted late in the game while holding his thigh—an ominous sign for Barcelona.

“We have to wait until tomorrow,” Flick said when asked about the striker’s condition.

Barcelona’s upcoming schedule is relentless. They face Mallorca in La Liga on Tuesday, take on Real Madrid in the Copa del Rey final next weekend, and then open their Champions League semifinal against Inter Milan just four days later.

Any absence for Lewandowski could have a significant impact.

Borja Iglesias’ Hat Trick Stuns Barcelona Defense

It all started brightly for the Catalans. Ferran Torres put Barça ahead early, giving the home crowd at the Olympic Stadium reason to believe in a comfortable win. But Celta Vigo had other plans—and striker Borja Iglesias delivered one of the most memorable solo performances of the La Liga season.

In just three minutes, Iglesias leveled the score after goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny misjudged a low cross. Then, in a matter of moments in the second half, Iglesias scored twice more, capitalizing on two defensive blunders.

One came when Frenkie De Jong let a goal kick bounce, assuming a teammate would control it. Iglesias pounced and smashed in his second. Minutes later, he latched onto another long ball and chipped Szczesny for his third—completing his hat trick and stunning the home crowd into silence.

It was 3-1 Celta Vigo, and Barcelona looked beaten.

Flick’s Tactical Changes Turn the Game Around

But Hansi Flick made key substitutions, including bringing on Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal, which turned the tide.

Raphinha slid a pass through the defense for Olmo to score, giving Barça hope. Moments later, Yamal crossed, and Raphinha rose high to head in the equalizer. The match was level at 3-3, and momentum had completely swung.

In injury time, Olmo surged into the box and was fouled by Yoel Lago. Referee Javier Estrada initially let play continue but went to the VAR monitor and awarded the penalty. With Lewandowski off the pitch, it was Raphinha who stepped up—and smashed the ball past Vicente Guaita for the dramatic winner.

What the Win Means for the Title Race

Barcelona now leads La Liga by seven points, putting pressure on Real Madrid, who must respond against Athletic Bilbao. With only a handful of games left in the season, every result is crucial, and Raphinha’s clutch performance may have shifted the title race in Barcelona’s favor.

Beyond La Liga, the club is juggling massive fixtures on all fronts:

• Tuesday: vs Mallorca (La Liga)
• Weekend: vs Real Madrid (Copa del Rey Final)
• Next week: vs Inter Milan (UCL Semifinal Leg 1)

Keeping players fit and focused will be Flick’s greatest challenge in the coming weeks.

Around La Liga: Celta Drops, Mallorca Rises

Celta Vigo, who previously held Barcelona to a 2-2 draw earlier in the season, fell to eighth place after the loss. Despite Iglesias’ heroics, their defense couldn’t withstand Barça’s late charge.

Meanwhile, Mallorca moved up to seventh place after a goalless draw with Leganes, just in time for their midweek clash against Barcelona.

In other action, Umar Sadiq scored a late goal to secure a 1-1 draw for Valencia at Rayo Vallecano.

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