Barcelona faced off against Celta de Vigo in a thrilling Matchday 31 clash of the 2024/25 La Liga season on Saturday, April 19, 2025, at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a dramatic 4-3 victory for the Catalans, who moved seven points clear of their title rivals, Real Madrid.
Barcelona entered this match riding high after securing a spot in the UEFA Champions League semifinals, despite a 3-1 second-leg loss to Borussia Dortmund. With this momentum, they shifted their focus back to domestic play, hoping to solidify their position at the top of La Liga.
From the kickoff, Barcelona looked promising. They quickly opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a stunning solo effort from Ferran Torres, who showcased his skills with a well-placed shot. However, just four minutes later, Celta de Vigo responded. Borja Iglesias capitalized on a defensive error by Wojciech Szczesny, who misjudged a low cross and allowed Iglesias to tap in the equalizer.
The first half ended with both teams level at 1-1, but Celta’s confidence grew as they began to threaten Barcelona's defense more frequently. The halftime whistle brought a sigh of relief for the hosts, who were in desperate need of adjustments to counter Celta’s resolute performance.
As the second half commenced, Celta de Vigo took control of the match. Just seven minutes in, Iglesias struck again, taking advantage of another defensive lapse by Frenkie de Jong to score his second goal of the afternoon. The visitors continued their onslaught, and in the 62nd minute, Iglesias completed his hat-trick, lobbing Szczesny beautifully to put Celta ahead 3-1.
Barcelona found themselves in a precarious situation, needing to rally back if they wanted to maintain their lead in the title race. In a bold move, manager Hansi Flick introduced Dani Olmo and Lamine Yamal to inject fresh energy into the squad. The substitutions paid off almost immediately; Olmo scored in the 64th minute, bringing Barcelona back into the match.
Just four minutes later, Raphinha, who had been a constant threat throughout the game, scored the equalizer with a powerful header from a cross delivered by Yamal. The Montjuïc crowd erupted as the score was now tied at 3-3.
With the match entering its final minutes, both teams pushed hard for the winning goal. Celta, despite their earlier dominance, began to sit back, inviting pressure from Barcelona. The tension mounted as the clock ticked down, and it seemed that the match might end in a draw.
Then, in a dramatic turn of events, a foul committed by Yoel Lago on Olmo inside the box in the 96th minute led to a penalty being awarded after a VAR review. Raphinha stepped up and calmly converted the penalty, securing a stunning 4-3 victory for Barcelona in the dying moments of the game.
This win was crucial for Barcelona, allowing them to extend their lead at the top of the La Liga table to seven points. The resilience displayed by the team, particularly in the second half, highlighted their determination to clinch the title.
Player ratings reflected the intense nature of the match. Raphinha was named Player of the Match, earning a remarkable rating of 9.6/10 for his two goals and overall impact on the game. Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo also received high ratings for their contributions. On the other side, Borja Iglesias was a standout for Celta, scoring all three of his team's goals and earning a rating of 9.6/10 as well.
However, the match was not without its casualties. Robert Lewandowski had to be substituted in the 78th minute due to an injury, raising concerns about his fitness for the upcoming fixtures. Gavi replaced the star striker, but the team managed to pull through without him, showcasing their depth and ability to adapt under pressure.
As the final whistle blew, Barcelona celebrated a memorable comeback that will surely be remembered by fans for years to come. The thrilling nature of the match, combined with the stakes involved, made this encounter one for the ages.
Looking ahead, Barcelona will need to maintain this momentum as they continue their pursuit of the La Liga title. With every point crucial in the closing weeks of the season, the pressure is on Flick and his squad to deliver consistently. Meanwhile, Celta de Vigo, despite the loss, displayed a commendable performance that suggests they will remain competitive in their quest for European qualification.
The La Liga title race is heating up, and with Barcelona's recent form, they are poised to take the crown if they can keep up their winning ways. Fans will be eagerly anticipating the next match as the season approaches its climax.
